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THINITY CHURCH, BROAD STREET, ALBANY. 



A 

BRIEF HISTORY 



OF THE 

PARISH OF TRINITY CHURCH, 

FROM 

ITS ORGANIZATION, SEPTEMBER 4, 1829, 

TO THE 

CONSECRATION OP THE CHURCH EDIFICE, SEPT. 10. 1849, 
BY THE EIGHT REV. BISHOP WHITTINGIIA M 

ALSO 

& Continued Ijistorg of tf)e fJarisfj to Jfnnnarg, 1870. 

COMPILED FROM THE RECORDS, BT THE 

REV. EDWARD SELKIRK, 
> 

AT THE CLOSE OF 

THE TWENTY-SIXTH TEAK OF HIS SERVICES IN THE PAKISH, 
AS KECTOH. 




J. 



ALBANY : 
MUNSELL, STATE 
1870. 



STREET. 




34557 



TRINITY CHURCH. 



Before proceeding to give the direct history of the or- 
ganization of the parish of Trinity Church, it may be well 
to note, that from the time of planting the church in the 
city of Albany, early in the eighteenth century, by a society 
incorporated in England under King William the second, 
A. D. 1701, for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign 
Parts, until Nov., 1827, there was but one parish of the 
Protestant Episcopal Church in the city of Albany, which 
in common parlance was called the English Church, and 
now more generally known as the parish of St. Peter's 
Church, worshiping in an edifice standing on the north side 
of State street. 

During the summer of 1827 a congregation worshiping 
God agreeably to the forms of the Protestant Episcopal 
Church in the United States of Ameriea, was assembled in 
the south district of the city, in a school room on South 
Pearl street by the Rev. Richard Bury, and on the 12th 
day of November, 1827, the male members of said congre- 
gation assembled in said school room according to legal 
notice ; when divine service having been performed by the 
Rev. Richard Bury, the members of the congregation pre- 
sent, with the Rev. Mr. Bury as chairman, proceeded to 
elect two wardens and eight vestrymen preparatory to their 
incorporation as a parish, and the following named gentle- 
men were elected the first officers of the parish : Edward 
A. Le Breton, senior warden; Thomas Knowlson, junior 
warden ; Barent P. Staats, Charles Skerritt, John Le 
Breton, Hezekiah Wells, Bristol Fox, Agur Wells, John 
Nelliger, John W. McDougal, vestrymen ; who proceeded 
to incorporate themselves as a parish, to be ever after known 
by the name, or title of St. Paul's Church or Congregation 
in the City of Albany. 



4 



Trinity Church. 



Having become incorporated by the above title and thus 
forming the second parish in the city of Albany, on the 
28th of November, 1827, the wardens and vestrymen ap- 
pointed a committee to purchase as a site for a church edifice, 
two lots on the north-west corner of Ferry and Dallius 
streets, for the sum of $2,500; and on the 15th of June, 
1828, they directed said committee to purchase an adjoining 
lot at the price of $500. Previous to the purchase of the 
last lot, a building committee was appointed, who on the 
14th of May, 1828, accepted the proposal of Henry Peeres 
to build a church edifice on said lots for the sum of 
$12,550; and on the 11th day of June, 1828, the Rt. 
Rev. Bp. Hobart laid the corner stone of the proposed 
building, which was to be constructed agreeably to a plan 
drawn by Philip Hooker, of Albany, architect, of the Gothic 
order of architecture, and to be 56 by 85 feet, the walls to 
be built of rough blue stone, etc. 

The church was accordingly built and consecrated by the 
Rt. Rev. Bp. Hobart, on the 24th day of July, 1829, Rev. 
Richard Bury being the rector, and was occupied by the 
congregation until the year 1839, during which time the 
following named gentlemen were successively rectors of the 
parish, viz : Rev. Richard Bury from the organization of 
the parish in the year 1827, to March 22, 1830. Rev. 
William Linn Keese from 1830 to Nov., 1833. Rev." J. H. 
Price, from January, 1834, to May 27, 1837. Rev. William 
I. Kip, accepted a call as rector, June 13, 1837, and is still 
'rector of the parish now in the year 1851. 

In the year 1839, on the 24th of January, the Rev. Wm. 
I. Kip being rector, Messrs. Wm. H. Dewitt and Hezekiah 
Wells, wardens, and Messrs. Peter P. Staats, Simeon De- 
witt IMoodgood, Henry T. Meech, Robert L. Noyes, Homer 
R. Phelps, Sylvester Reed, Harmon Pease, William Winne, 
vestrymen, it was resolved in vestry meeting to be "expe- 
dient to sell Saint Paul's church," etc., for a sum 11 not less 
than $15,500, including the organ," and that a committee 
be appointed and authorized to obtain the refusal of the 
Theatre in South Pearl street, and engage H. Rector, archi- 
tect, to draw plans and estimate the expenses of alterations 
necessary to convert the Theatre into a Church. Agreeably 
to the above proceedings the Church was sold to the Ro- 



Trinity Church. 



5 



manists on the 4th of Feb., 1839, for the sum of $15,500 
including the organ : and on the 20th of Feb., 1839, a com- 

DP* ' 7 

mittee was authorized to close the contract for the purchase 
of the Theatre at a cost of $6,000, before the first of March 
following, which was done, and the plans of Mr. Rector for 
alterations were adopted, and the proposals of Mr. Sutton 
to do the carpenter work for the sum of $9,300 was accepted, 
and the work done accordingly ; when, on the 24th of Feb- 
ruary, 1840, the vestry passed the following resolutions : 
" Thanking St. Peter's congregation for the courtesies ex- 
tended to the congregation of St. Paul's during the repairs 
and alterations of the theatre," and the congregation of St. 
Paul's Church, previously worshiping in the church thus 
sold to the Romanists, removed to their new Church in 
South Pearl street above Hudson. The Church sold is now 
known as St. John's Church. 

The sale of the Church in Ferry street and the removal 
of St. Paul's congregation up town, seems to have been the 
moving cause, that prompted certain persons who had been 
members of that parish, to organize a third parish in the 
city of Albany, in order to provide a place of worship in 
that portion of the city from which St. Paul's parish had 
removed. 

Whereupon in the summer of 1839, a few Episcopalians 
leased a building on the south side of Westerlo street be- 
tween Dallius and Church streets, known as the Cameronian 
Church (which was destroyed bv fire in the year 1848), and 
engaged the Rev. Isaac Swart of Troy, to officiate as their 
pastor, and on the 4th of Sept., 1839, the male members of 
the parish, entitled by law to elect wardens and vestrymen, 
were convened according to the requirements of the 
statute of the state, when morning prayer having been said 
by the Rev. Mr. Swart, they proceeded to the choice of 
officers, when Messrs. S. Rped and Homer R. Phelps were 
elected wardens and Messrs. Crawford Livingston, Sidney 
Guest, A South wick, Lewis Brothers, Edward Bateman, 
Edward Owens, Seth Jarvis, and John Kerr, vestrymen. 

The officers thus elected fixed upon Tuesday in Easter 
week as the day on which their successors should be chosen • 
and chose as the corporate name The Rectof, Churchwardens 
and Vestrymen of Trinity Church in Hie jCity of Albany; 



* 



6 



Trinity Church. 



and secured the act of incorporation by the above title, and 
thus organized the third parish of the Protestant Episcopal 
Cliurchin the city of Albany. 

On the 11th of Sept., 1889, the board of vestry met and 
resolved, " that the Rev. Mr. Swart be invited forthwith to 
become their rector." When the Rev. Mr. Swart being- 
called upon signified his acceptance of the invitation, and 
became the first rector of Trinity Church, where he con- 
tinued to labor until the 7th of- January, 1840, when he 
tendered his resignation to the vestry, which they accepted 
on the 9th inst. The parish being thus early left without 
a rector, it enjoyed only such services as could be obtained 
from Sunday to Sunday, of the neighboring clergy for nearly 
ten months : when on the first of October, 1840, the Rev. 
Mr. Dowdney of Athens, accepted a call to take charge of 
the parish as its rector. The parish having been left so 
long without a rector in its earliest infancy, being at first 
but few in number, could not be expected to have gained 
much strength. It is, therefore, not strange that in the 
spring of 1841, finding themselves unable to pay the rent 
for the building in which they worshiped, they were obliged 
to suffer their organ, cushions, books, stoves, and fixtures to 
be legally seized and sold. 

Being thus cast down, but not destroyed, the congrega- 
tion obtained as their next place of worship a room in the 
District School House on the corner of Dallius and Ferry 
streets, and while worshiping there the vestry received a com- 
munication from the Rev. William I. Kip, rector of St Paul's 
parish in the city of Albany, proposing to them to become 
a missionary parish, and as such to be aided by the other 
parishes in the city, which proposition was not accepted, 
and the congregation continued to labor on as an independent 
parish. 

The next effort was to obtain some permanent place to 
worship; and to this end during the summer of 1841, a 
lease was obtained from the heirs of the estate of Richard 
Ray, late of New York, of a plot of ground some 60 by 70 
feet on the south-east corner Herkimer and Franklin streets, 
on which to erect a church edifice, and although the min- 
utes of the vestry do not show any proceedings in relation 
to leasing the ground, or erecting the building, yet I am 



Trinity Church. 



7 



informed by gentlemen who were vestrymen at the time, 
that during the summer of 1841, Mr. John Bradt, was em- 
ployed to draw plans, etc., for an edifice to be built of wood, 
of the Grecian order, and that Mr. Wm. Chambers was 
contracted with to do the carpenter work of said building 
for the sum of $1440. That after the building had been 
commenced, and during the fall of 1841, the Rev. Mr. 
Dowdney tendered his resignation as rector of the parish, 
leaving it to get on as best it could. From this time until 
June, 1842, the parish was without a rector or place of 
worship, during which time the building was completed, 
and capable of seating about 300 persons; when the vestry 
tendered a call on . the 18th of May, to the Rev. Edward 
Embury, to become rector of the parish, which call was 
accepted, and the Rev. Mr. Embury entered upon the duties 
of his ofiice, as I am informed, in June, 1842, although his 
acceptance, or the time of entering upon his duties as rector 
are not recorded in the minutes of the vestry. And no 
records of any proceedings of the vestry seem to have been 
made, from May, 1842, until Easter Tuesday, April 18, 
1843, at which time after morning prayer being said by 
the Rev. Mr. Embury, Messrs. Wm. H. Hughes and Charles 
Anderson were elected wardens, and Messrs. Geo. Stanwix. 
Thomas Bateman, Richard Parr, Richard McGlinn, Arthur 
Boyle, John Coughtry, R. H. Northrop, Charles Clapp, 
vestrymen, for the ensuing year. 

At this time the congregation was but small ; and the 
few were people of but limited ability, to sustain the parish 
in a pecuniary point of view ; and the building they had 
erected was encumbered with a mortgage of $1080 ; besides 
other parish indebtedness. But being encouraged by their 
rector to labor on in their laudable work of building up a 
congregation, the vestry met on the 20th of April, 1?43, to 
take into consideration the condition of the finances of the 
parish. And after appointing George Stanwix as treasurer 
and John Coughtry as secretary, they directed their treasurer 
to " call upon and ask payment of those persons who for some 
time past had not paid their indebtedness to the Church ; 
and resolved that Mr. Clapp be authorized to collect moneys 
in the city of Albany, and that Messrs. George Stanwix and 



8 



Trinity Church. 



Thomas Batenian be a committee to raise money in New 
York city, to liquidate the mortgage on their Church." 

With what success the above named persons labored in 
raising moneys I find no record in the minutes of the vestry, 
but am verbally informed, that during the years 1842 and 
1843, there was raised in various ways for the relief of the 
, parish some §500, which was paid on the mortgage ; when 
in the fall of 1843, the Rev. Mr. Embury resigned his 
reetorship of the parish, leaving it once more without any 
pastoral care. 

The next recorded action of the vestry was on the 19th of 
Dec, 1843, when they "unanimously resolved that W. H. 
Hughes, senior warden, be authorized to invite by letter, the 
Rev. Edward Selkirk, of New York, to become rector of 
their parish." Accordingly such invitation was forwarded to 
the Rev. Mr Selkirk, which he accepted on the 1st of 
January, 1844, and during the month entered upon his 
duties as rector. 

The parish had now been in existence a little more than 
four years, during which time there had been three rectors 
' in charge, whose united services were only two and a half 
years. Yet the parish had struggled on amidst many dif- 
ficulties, still weak and embarrassed with debt, and with but 
a feeble prospect of being long able to maintain an existence. 

Although considerable had been done, yet the church 
edifice was far from being a comfortable place of worship, 
being so imperfectly warmed that few could endure the cold 
during the hours of service. Hence all the persons including 
men, women and children that could be gathered for the 
regular morning and afternoon services during the winter of 
1844 varied from 20 to 40 souls. It was at once proposed 
by the rector, to open the church for a third service in the 
evening A t the third service mauy who were not members of 
the parish of Trinity Church, came in. Yet the Church 
being cold and badly lighted, and having neither choir, nor 
organ, to aid in rendering the services attractive, but little 
seemed to be effected. 

The foremost and greatest difficulty that seemed to pre- 
sent itself to hinder the growth of the parish, was its in- 
debtedness ; and the want of pecuniary ability on the part 
of the parishioners to remove it. But being once more 



Trinity Church. 



9 



encouraged by having a rector, the small band of ladies con- 
nected with the parish set themselves to work to do what 
they could; and finding some ladies of the other parishes 
ready to second their efforts, before the spring of 1844, 
they had raised some $200. Then a subscription was started 
among the parishioners, and afterwards circulated among the 
citizens, until in June, 1844, it was found that the sum of 
$680.75 had been raised which liquidated the mortgage on 
the building. Thus encouraged, soon after, a small organ 
was obtained, at a cost of $180 (and paid for by the efforts 
of the ladies, the following winter). A voluntary choir 
came together, and the parish seemed gradually to increase. 
The next thing to be done was to have the lamps altered, 
and stoves provided sufficient to warm the Church; the 
lamps being made to burn camphene often went out, leaving 
the congregation in darkness until candles could be procured, 
to enable the rector to proceed with the service. These 
lamps, however, were altered to burn oil, and additional oil 
lamps added, which served to light the Church effectually. 
Two new coal stoves were purchased during the fall of 1844, 
and some slight alterations made in the Church, rendering it 
quite comfortable for worship during the winter season of 
1845, and after. In the meantime, the sidewalks and 
pavement were put in order, and a plain picket fence erected 
on the front and west side of the Church at an expense of 
about $80 ; and a new vestry room built on the south east 
corner of the Church at an expense of over $40. Hence 
there was from January 1st, 1844 to January 1st, 1845 , the fol- 
lowing amounts paid for former indebtedness of the parish, 
and improvements about the Church, together with an organ, 
besides sundry small debts : 

On mortgage to Wm. Chambers, $660 

Paid for organ. $180 ; fence and pavement, $80, 260 

Vestry room, $40 ; stoves, pipe, chimneys, &c, $50, 90 

$1010 

The following is the form of subscription with the amount 
subscribed for liquidating the mortgage to Wm. Chambers, 
in the spring of 1844. 

We, the undersigned, promise to pay to the bearer, on 
demand, for the purpose of liquidating the mortgage on 
2 



10 



Trinity Church. 



Trinity Church, th 

provided there is a 

hundred and fifty 

subscribed, a suffic 

ing to six hundred 

Ladies Society. . . $204.75 
Edward Selkirk,.. 10.00 
Win. H. Hughes,.. 10.(10 

Arthur Boyle, 10.00 

Thomas Bateman,. 10.00 
Jas. L. Humphrey, 10.00 

Wm. H. Topp 10.00 

Homer R.Phebs,. 10.00 
George Stanwix,.. 10.00 
John Patterson,. . . 10.00 



e sums afi&xed to our respective names, 
dded to this subscription the sum of one 
dollars, and otherwise raised, or hereon 
ient amount to pay said mortgage amount- 
and sixty-seven dollars or thereabouts. 



Kelly Attwood,.... $10.00 
Geo. dimming,... 3.00 
G. B. & R. H. Fra- 

ser, 15.00 

James Hall, 1 2.00 

O. A. Kingsley,... 3.00 
Eugene Kissam,... 5.00 
Joseph Mather, ... 5.00 

Wm. Kerr, 5.00 

John Hurdis, 5.00 



Richard McGlinn, $10.00 

Miss Cook 5.00 

Ed. Brinckerhoft; . 5.00 

Mrs. Bratt 5.00 

Daniel Attwood,.. 5.00 
Mrs. Chas. Ander- 
son,..-. 5.00 



$382.75 



The above amount having been raised by the ladies and 
by the subscriptions of parishioners, the following subscrip- 
tion was circulated among the citizens, and the annexed 
amounts obtained : 

We, the undersigned, promise to pay the bearer, on or 
before the first of June, next, the sum affixed to our respec- 
tive names, to liquidate the bond and mortgage on Trinity 
Church : 



James Stevenson, $20. 00 
Matthew Gregory,. 10.00 

John Gott 5.00 

Wm. E. Bleecker,. 5.00 
J. V. L. Pruyn, . . . 5.00 

James Taylor, 5.00 

Wm. Chapman, . . . 5.00 
G.W.Porter, .... 11.00 

R. W hillock, 5.00 

Miss Anna Ten 

Eyck ... 5.00 

Rev. Horatio Pot- 
ter, 5.00 

G. W. Stanton, . . . 10.00 
S.T. VanBuren,.. 5.00 

A. Groesbeek, 5.00 

Daniel Spencer,... 10.00 
Le Grand Smith,.. 5.00 
Wm. J. Warner, . . 5.00 

Mrs. Godley, 10.00 

J. K. Wins, 5.00 

Wm. H. Dewitt, . . 5.00 

A. P. Palmer, 3.00 

Peter G. Dox, .... 3.00 
Thomas S. Barber, 1.00 
Cash 2.00 



James Cooper, 

John F.Townsend, 

B. P. Staats, 

B. C. Raymond,.. . 

R. McCabe, 

J. G. Northrop,. . . 

J. B. Plumb 

H. G. Wheaton,... 

Ira Porter, 

Cash, 



James Kidd, 

Mrs. Horner, 

M. T. Reynolds,... 
Charles Coates,... 

John Jones, 

S. Cobb, 

Wm. Nessle, 

Cash, 

G. O. Merrifleld,.. 
Mrs. E. Croswell, . 

A. Rogers, 

Mrs. Honeysett,.. 

Wm. Lacy, 

John Ten Eyck, . . . 



$3.00 
5.00 
5.00 
5.00 
5.00 
5.00 
3.00 
5.00 
2.00 
2.00 
2.00 
3.00 
3.00 
5.00 
5.00 
5.00 
5.00 
3.00 
2.00 
3.00 
3.00 
5.00 
2.00 
2.00 
1.00 
5.00 



E. E. Kendrick,... $5.00 

Cash, 5,00 

" • 5.00 

" ... 3.00 

" 3.00 

" 3.00 

" 5.0Q 

" 3.00 

" : 1.00 

" 1.00 

R. Steel, 2.00 

Cash, 2.00 

" 2.00 

J. S. Colt 2.00 

Cash :.. 3.00 

Mrs. Dudley, 2.00 

Cash, 1.00 

" 3.00 

" 2.00 

" 1.00 

Brought up, .... 298.00 
Parish subscrip- 
tions, 382.75 

$080.75 



The above amount having been raised previous to the 
first of June, 1844, early in the fall following the annexed 
subscription was drawn up and circulated. 



Trinity Church. 



11 



We, the undersigned, promise to pay the sums affixed 
to our respective names, for the purpose of procuring stoves 
and building a vestry room for Trinity Church. 



O.R.VanBenthuy- 

sen, $25. 00 

Wm. H. Hughes, . . 1.25 

S.F.Phelps, 3.00 

Geo. Stanwix 3.00 

Arthur Boyle 2.00 

Richard McGlinn, 2.00 
James L. Humph- 
rey, 2.00 

Homer R. Phelps, 5.00 

John Patterson,. 3.00 



Thomas Brooks,. 
Joseph Mather, . . 
Kelly Attwood, . . 
Dr. P. P. Staats.. 
Wm. H. Topp,. . . 
Richard Parr, .... 
Geo. Cummings, 
James Morrow, . . 
John M. Bullock, . 

Mr. Forbes, 

Eugene Kissam, . 



$2.00 
2.00 
3.00 
5.00 
2.00 
1.00 
1.00 
2.00 
2.00 
1.00 
1.00 



Mr. Pewtress, . . . $1.00 

Mr. Ellison 2.00 

John Ten Eyck,. 1.00 

Cash, 1.00 

Mr. Clark, 2.00 

Wm. Denning,.. 0.50 

Wm. Farally, . . . . 0.50 

John Wright, .... 3.00 

$S0.25 



No sooner had the above been accomplished, than the la- 
dies of the parish again seconded the efforts of the gentlemen 
in procuring means for carrying on the work of building up 
the parish, which resulted in their paying into the treasury, 
in December, 1844, for the purchase of an organ and other 
church purposes the sum of $210 or thereabouts. 

During the year 1845, the parish continued gradually to 
improve in numbers and strength; and although so much 
had been done during the previous year, still all had not 
been done that stood in the way of the growth of the parish. 
There still remained a floating debt of some two hundred 
dollars to be liquidated. How it could be done Was the 
question to be solved. The proposition was made in vestry 
meeting, that a subscription should at once he commenced 
by the wardens and vestry and circulated among the pa- 
rishioners. The proposition was adopted, and the following 
form of subscription was accordingly drawn up, to which 
the persons whose names are attached, subscribed: 

We, the subscribers, agree to pay the sums set opposite 
our respective names, for extinguishing the floating debt 
now existing against Trinity Church. Which debt being 
extinguished leaves the Church free from all incumhrace, 
and in such a state as to meet its annual expenses, by its 
regular annual income. So that hereafter there need not 
accrue any floating debt. 



S;F. Phelps,.... -$25. 00 
Wm. S. Ellison,. 5.00 

Richard Parr, 10.00 

Jn. M. Bullock,.. 5.00 
Wm. H. Hughes, 3.00 

T. P. Waters 5.00 

James L. Humph- 
rey, 5.00 

Geo. Stanwix,... 3.00 



Ric'd. McGlinn, . . $3.00 
O. R. V. Benthuy- 

sen 5.00 

Cash, 6.54 

H. R. 1'helps,.... 5.00 

Cash, 5.00 

John Wright 5.00 

Mr. Farally 1.00 

Wm. Denning, .. . 1.00 



Wm. H. Topp, . . . $2.00 

Samuel Westcott, 1.00 

Cash, 3.00 

Mrs. Bratt, 2.00 

Cash, 1.00 

Cash, 1.00 



$102.00 



12 



Trinity Church. 



This subscription having been made, the ladies of the 
parish seconded the efforts of the gentlemen, by organizing 
themselves into a sewing society, for the purpose of raising 
funds for the parish, which resulted in their paying into the 
treasury of the church, as the proceeds of a fair, the sum of 
$325, which, together with the amount raised by subscrip- 
tion, enabled the parish to pay all its debts, and left $255 
surplus, which was deposited in the Albany Savings Bank 
for future use, so at the close of the year 1845, the parish 
was free from debt, and, though small, in a prosperous con- 
dition. 

At the commencement of the year 1846, the parish being 
in a flourishing condition, it was thought desirable on the 
part of many parishioners, to exchange the organ then in pos- 
session of the parish, it being small and a very imperfect in- 
strument, for a larger and more perfect and effective instru- 
ment ; accordingly it was agreed that the money then in 
the bank might be used for that purpose, p?-ovided, that a 
sum necessary to pay the balance between the old organ and 
a new one could be raised by subscription after using the 
money on hand. Accordingly it was ascertained that such 
an organ as was desired could be obtained for the sum of 



), or $350 and the old organ, and to make up the requi- 
site sum of $350, the following subscription was made : 

Wc, the undersigned, promise to pay the sum affixed to 
our names, for the purpose of procuring an organ for Trinity 
Church, Albany. 



Packard Van Ben- 

thuysen, $20 

Homer R. Phelps, . . . 10 

Kelly Attwood, t 

Andrew J. Colvin, . . 5 

T. P. Waters, 5 

R. H. Northrop, .... 5 



T. D. .Tames, 

S. F. Phelps, 

S. S. Barnes, 

John Slow, 

John Ten Eyck, 

J. M. Bullock, 

John Tanner, 



J. L. Humphrey, ... $3 

Daniel Spencer, 5 

Samuel Westcott, . . 5 

Mrs. Scribner, 5 

Wm. H. Topp 3 

Miss Lewis, 6 



When the above amount had been subscribed and paid, 
it being the sum required, a contract was made with Messrs. 
Hall & Labah, organ builders of New York city, to furnish 
a specified organ, for the sum of $350 and the old organ-. 
The organ was accordingly built and placed in the church, 
corner of Herkimer and Franklin streets, in July, 1846. 
The organ was pronounced by competent judges to be a 



Trinity Church. 



13 



most perfect instrument in all its parts, and served to ena- 
ble the choir vastly to improve in the performance of their 
part of the service, all of which tended to aid in building 
up-the church of God. It was soon found that more per- 
sons were disposed to come together for divine worship than 
the church would accommodate, especially of anl evening, 
and the subject began to be talked of in private, of in some 
way providing more church accommodations. Various sug- 
gestions were made during the fall and winter of 1846, when 
in the spring of 1847, the demand for more church room 
apparently increasing, a meeting of the vestry was called on 
the 1st of March, to take into consideration the propriety of 
building a new church. The result of their deliberations 
was, the appointing of a committee of three to draw up and 
circulate a conditional subscription, and also to select a site 
for the new church, and report to the next meeting. The 
committee appointed was the rector, Rev. Edward Selkirk, 
and Messrs. S. F. Phelps and Packard Van Benthuysen. 
Mr. George Stanwix was afterwards added to the com- 
mittee. 

In discharge of the duties assigned them, the committee 
procured some five subscription books, drew up the follow- 
ing form of subscription, to which, in process of time, the 
following amounts were subscribed and paid over to the 
treasurer of the congregation, for procuring the site and 
the erection of the church edifice, now known as Trinity 
Church, in Broad street : 

In consideration that the corporation of Trinity Church, 
in the city of Albany, shall build a new church edifice for 
the congregation they represent, we, the subscribers, hereby 
agree to pay the said corporation the sums set opposite our 
names respectively, in such ratable sums, and at such times, 
as said corporation shall direct, for procuring a site and 
erecting a suitable church edifice thereon ; provided, how- 
ever, that on or before the first day of June, 1847, the whole 
amount of subscription for the aforesaid purpose, and means 
otherwise pledged to said corporation therefor, shall amount 
at least to the sum of twelve thousand dollars. 
. And it is further provided, that our individual subscrip- 
tions shall when paid in, be offset against the value of any 



14 



Trinity Church. 



pew or seat which we may purchase in such new church 
edifice. 

Dated at Albany, March 8th, 1847. 



Trinity Ch., N.Y., $5,000 
Parish property, 
The church build- 
ing in Herkimer 

street, sold for, 800 

Organ reserved, . . 500 

H. Yates, in land, 1,200 

Arch. Mcln tyre,.. 1,200 

Edward Selkirk,. 300 

P. V. Benthuyscn, 200 

S.F. Phelps, .... 200 

A. J. Colviu, .... 100 

Wm. H. Topp,... 100 
Stephen Groes- 

beeck, 100 

D. L. Wing 100 

G. W. Stanton,.. 100 

A. Gray & Son, . . 250 

James Jenkinson, 100 

David Orr, 100 

R. H. Northrop, . 100 

John M. Bullock, 100 

Jno. L. Crew, .... 100 

Edwin Croswell,. 50 

A. Groesbeck, ... 50 

James Stevenson, 50 

E. Corning, 50 

Samuel Stevens, . 50 

V. P. Douw, 50 

K. Attwood, 50 

J. C. Spencer, ... 50 

G. Slack, 50 

Hamilton Fish. . . 50 
Jno. L. School- 
craft, 50 

Rev.Wm.I. Kipp, 25 

J. L. Humphrey,. 25 

C. W. Bender,... 25 

V. Ten Evck, ... 25 

E. H. Bender, .... 25 

W. H. Dewitt,... 25 

Jno. Wright, 25 

Jno. Stackpole, . . 25 
Wm. A. Corbiere, 25 
J. V. L. Pruyn,. 25 
Thos. W. Olcolt,. 25 
Tweddle & Dar- 
lington, .25 

Griffin & Smith, . ' 25 

W. A. l'ouug, ... 25 

Watts Sherman,. 25 

E. Skinner 25 

Geo. Russell 25 

W. W. Forsyth, . 25 

J. B. Plumb, .... 25 

G. W.Stanton, Jr., 25 
E. P. Pr.ntice,. .. 25 

R. Boyd, 25 

R. H. King 25 

Arthur H. Root, . 25 

H. G. Wheaton, . . 25 



Jno. I. Boyd, $25 

FranklinTownsend, 25 

W. D. White, 25 

John Kuower, 25 

Mrs. Dudley, 25 

Wm. E. Bleecker, . . 25 

Stephen W.Clark. .. 25 

A. E. Brown, 25 

R. Borttel, 25 

Elizabeth J. Jenk- 
inson (by W. W.) 25 

Uri Burt 25 

Giles Porter, 25 

Wm. Wilson, 25 

Joel Rathbone 25 

E. H. Pease & Co., 25 

Anthony Gould, ... 25 

James Taylor, 25 

Thurlow Weed,.. .. 25 

N. S. Benton 20 

G. W. Newell 20 

J. C. Potts, 20 

Robert Duulop, 20 

D. Humphrey, .... 20 
Wm. H. Ten Eyck, 20 

Lansing Pruyn, 20 

Grace Anderson, ... 20 

Wm. Fowler, 20 

R. Whitlock. $21.15 

Sanford Cobb, 10 

H. R. Phelps 10 

Wm. Parmelee, 10 

James Henry, 10 

Thomas Schuyler, . 10 

J. H. Armsby, .... 10 

Mrs. Owins, 10 

E. R. Phelps, 10 

Wm. Kerr, 10 

Gilbert L Wilson,. 10 

Wm. Humphrey, .. . 10 

W. C. Little & Co., 10 

Charles Coates, 20 

D. L. Lathrop, 10 

D. Morgan, 10 

Wm. Woodhall, ... 10 

Wm. Wendell, 10 

J. H. Mulford, 10 

S. H. Hammond, . . 10 

Abram Koonz, ... 10 

A. Quackenboss, . . 10 

G. C. Fowler, 10 

J. D. Badgly, 10 

Joseph Strain, .... 10 

Benjamin Marsh,.. 10 

J. V. Burin, 10 

Thomas L. Greene, 10 

Smith Sheldon 10 

J. Keyes Paige, 10 

Lemuel Steele, ... . 10 

G. R. Shortess,.... 10 

D.H.Ford, 10 



R. L. Joice, $10 

R. D.. Granger, 10 

10. N'csterlo 1(1 

Hammond, King & 

Barnes, 5 

James C. Pennie, .. 10 

John T. Crew, 10 

G. M. Bleecker, 10 

Cash (A. W. J.) 10 

L. Bew, 10 

J.H.Hays, 10 

Wm. A. Rice, 10 

W. G. DeyErmand, 10 

John G. White, ... . 10 

Ira Porter, 5 

Jacob Henry, 10 

Cash (Ransom), 10 

Justus F. Taylor,.. 10 

Richard Godley, ... 10 

S. H. Johnson 10 

Edward Owens, 10 

J. M. Newtou, 10 

Edwin C. Litchfield, 10 

W. A. Crehan, 10 

Wm. McElroy 10 

Edward Blakeman, 10 

A. D. L. Whipple,. 1 i 

Wm. Hurst, 10 

John McMickin, ... 10 

Charles Barber, ... 15 

Josiah Gillespie, ... 10 

Wm. G. Thomas, . . 10 

Truman S. Foote, .. 10 

John McEvoy, 10 

R. S. Hendee, 10 

James O'Neil, 10 

Edmund Savage, . . 10 

Andrew Kirk, 10 

Arch. Madden, 10 

Crapo & Co., 10 

Jagger, Treadwell, 

& Perry, 10 

Rob't H. Pruyn,.. . 10 

J. D. Fisher 5 

Cash (W. M.) 10 

Wm. Headlam, 10 

J. O. Sayles, 10 

G. Davidson, 10 

Jno. S. Daley, 10 

Wm. Hunt, 10 

Charles S. Benton, . 10 

Cyrus Edson, 10 

Andrew White, .... 10 

J. G. Curtis 10 

Wm. Kerr, (2d sub.) 10 

John Groesbeck, .. 10 

Cash, 10 

Geo White, 5 

E. Evertson, 5 

James Denniston, . 5 

Mrs. Johnson, .... 5 



Trinity Church. 



15 



Joel A. Wing $5 

Dr. P. V. Buren, ... 5 
J. Calverley,. ..$2.50 

Geo. Wait 5 

M. E. Viele 5 

Adam Todd, 5 

Aaron Hawley, 5 

Jno. F. Steele, 5 

Sam'l N. Payn, 5 

A.V.Allen 5 

Henry Green,. 5 

David Fenner, 5 

S. McCoy, 5 

R. L. G. Bancroft, . 5 

Hiram Munsell, 5 

Wm. Mitchell, 5 

Dr. Van OLinda, . . 5 

Mr. Slmltz, 5 

Cash (Burton), 5 

Jno. R. Vernam, ... 5 

James Schuyler, ... 10 

Luther Wheeler, .. . 5 

J. G. Cottrell, 5 

Wm. Frothingham, 5 

D. Newland, 5 

Nelson Hascy, 5 

H. D. Hawkins, .... 5 

Jacob Ten Eyck, ... 5 

H. J. Hastings, 5 

John v. Sickles,.. . 5 

J. H. Prentice, 5 

N. Hussy, 5 

H. W. Meade, 5 



Wm. McClelland,.. $3 

Lewis Rathbone, . . 5 

Charles C. Miles, . . 5 

R. W. Harvey, 5 

J. M. Harvey, 5 

Lewis Seymour, ... 5 

Henry Safford 5 

John D. Kimmey, . 5 

A.Ransom, 5 

Hugh Stevenson, . . 5 

Wm. Livingston, . . 5 

Cash (Hill) 5 

James Crawford, ... 5 

Clement Warren, . . 5 

J. H. Shear, 5 

Geo. Harris, 5 

R. Humphrey, 5 

Humphrey Clark, . . 5 

S.F. She'pard, 5 

Cash (Kennedy), ... 10 

David MeCulloch, . . 5 

A. H. Green 5 

Samuel Moffit, 5 

H. H. Hickcox, .... 5 

Wm. Janes, 5 

Cash, 5 

J. V. Van Valken- 

hurgh, 5 

H. B.'Benjamin, ... 5 

M. H. Bridge, 5 

C. W. Goddard, .... 5 

Mr. Finch, 5 

Chris'r Morgan, ... 5 



J. A. Chapman, $3 

Henry Mix, 3 

H. R. Wheeler, .... 3 

Peter Colbern, .... 3 

Cash (Fryer), 2 

G. H. Charles, 2 

Cash (Rawls), 2 

D. S. Davis 2 

Geo. Patterson, 2 

Cash (Thomas) .... 2 

Cash (Crawford),.. 2 

Wm. Abell, 2 

C. P. Easton, 2 

A. A. Rankin, 2 

Cash (H. V. A.), .... 2 

Veeder & Bates, ... 2 

Mr. Richardson,.. . 2 

H. Dickson, 2 

G. V. S. Sanders,.. 2 

John H. Anderson, 1 

Wm.Sweney, 1 

Cash 1 

S. Easterly, 1 

R. M. V. Sickler, . . 1 

D. J. Hewson, 1 

Mrs. Henry, 1 

R. J. Patten, 1 

F. A. Fargo, 1 

Cash 1 

Cash 1 

Cash, 1 

W. Carter, 1 

Cash, 1 



While the above subscriptions, amounting to $11,746.15, 
were being procured, chiefly by the solicitation of the rec- 
tor of the parish, the committee of which he was chairman, 
selected as a site for the proposed church edifice, a plot of 
ground on the west side of Broad street, between Lydius 
and Westerlo streets, and on the 29th of March, the Rev. 
Mr. Selkirk, as chairman of the committee for selecting a 
site, reported to the vestry that said lot in Broad street had 
been selected, and that it was owned by Messrs. A. Mclntyre 
and Henry Yates, and valued at $1,250 per 25 feet front, 
which report was accepted, and the committee continued, 
and also the subscription committee, and ordered to proceed 
with the business committed to them. And on the 22d of 
July, the committee to select a site reported to the vestry 
by their chairman, that they had selected three lots on the 
west side of Broad street, south of Lydius, said lots being 
25 feet f\-ont by about 100 feet deep, valued at $3,750, on 
condition of paying $2,200 in cash, and the balance to be a 
subscription to the church, and the report was accepted. 



16 



Trinity Church. 



Mr: P. Van Benthuysen then resigned his place on the 
committee, which was accepted, and Mr. T. P. Waters was 
chosen by the vestry to fill his place. The vestry then em- 
powered the committee to contract for said lots on the best 
terms they could, on behalf of the vestry, and were also au- 
thorized to sell the church edifice in Herkimer street.* 
Agreeably to the foregoing instruction, the committee again 
reported to the vestry on the 23d of July, " That they had 
offered Messrs. Yates and Mclntyre the sum of $2,200 in 
cash, and $700 in church property, consisting of pews in 
the church when built, for a plot of ground as before 
designated, to be 100 feet front and about 100 feet deep, 
and estimated at $4,600. Of the amount, $2,400 should 
be considered as a subscription to the church, $700 of which 
amount they might receive back in pews, on the same con- 
dition as other subscribers, and the balance to be a gift, 
which terms were accepted by the owners of the land, which 
report was accepted ; and on the 29th of July, the rector, 
as chairman of the committee, authorized to purchase said 
lots, reported to the vestry that the committee had entered 
into contract with Messrs. Yates and Mclntyre, as before 
reported, which contract was ordered recorded upon the 
minutes, and the committee were, upon motion, discharged. 
It was then moved that a committee of five be appointed to 
take charge of the erection of the new church, when Messrs. 
S. F. Phelps, John Ten Eyck, Richard Parr, T. P. Waters 
and J. M. Bullock, were appointed such committee. On 
motion, the Rector and Mr. R. H. Northrop were added to 
said committee, and said committee was also chosen as a 
finance committee to take charge of the collection of all 
moneys, &c. 

The committee thus appointed took the matter in charge, 
and during the remainderof the summer, took the necessary 
preparatory steps for carryins; out the wishes of the congre- 
gation, expressed by the vestry. Their first step was to ap- 
point a sub-committee, composed of the rector, Rev. Mr. 
Selkirk, Messrs. R. H. Northrop and T. P. Waters, to act 
in behalf of the committee, to select the style of architec- 
ture, employ an architect, and to receive proposals for build- 
ing, &c, which duties they discharged during the fall and 
winter of 1847 and 1848. When, on March the 13th, 1848, 



Trinity Church. 



17 



contracts, &c, having been entered into for the erection of 
the proposed church edifice, the rector, wardens and vestry- 
men, together with other members of the congregation, and 
friends, assembled on the site to commence the work of 
erecting a temple to the glory of God, and to invoke his 
gracious aid and protection. Being thus assembled, the 
rector, the Eev. Edward Selkirk, taking a pickaxe and 
shovel, said — " In the name of the Father, and of the Son, 
and of the Holy Ghost, I do now commence the work of 
erecting a church to be consecrated to the service and glory 
of Almighty God," when striking three blows into the earth 
with the pickaxe, and removing some of it with the shovel, 
the work was commenced. The wardens, Messrs. R. H. 
Northrop and S. F. Phelps, and the vestrymen, Messrs. 
Richard Parr, T. P. Waters and J. M. Bullock, and others 
taking the shove! removed each a portion of the earth. 

The work being thus auspiciously begun, the mason, 
Henry Knight, proceeded forthwith, 1848, to prepare and 
lay the foundation, when, the 21st of April, 1848, the build- 
ing committee, through their chairman, Mr. R. H. Northrop, 
presented to the vestry the following report, which was 
ordered to be recorded on the minutes : 

To the Rector, Wardens and Vestrymen of Trinity 
Church, in the city of Albany : 

The committee appointed by you to take charge of the 
erection of a new church edifice for our parish, respectfully 
report: That on the 2d day of August, 1847, your com- 
mittee appointed Messrs. Northrop, Waters, and Selkirk a 
sub-committee to visit the new churches in New York city 
and vicinity, and empowered them to decide upon the style 
of architecture for the new church, and to employ an archi- 
tect to draw up the plans and specifications That the 
sub-committee, on the 3d day of August, 1887, went to New 
York, and after visiting and examining the new churches of 
that city and Brooklyn, decided upon the Gothic style, as 
the most preferable for our new building, and employed Mr. 
James Renwick, Jr., an architect of much skill and ex- 
perience, to draw plans and specifications, and to superintend 
the erection of the building, for which they agreed to pay 
Mr. Renwick the sum of $150, and his expenses, when re- 
quired to come up to Albany to take charge of the building, 
3 



18 



Trinity Church. 



if required to come more than four times. Your committee 
think he will not have to come more than four or five times, 
as the plans and specifications are very full and plain. 

Your committee have directed all moneys raised toward 
the building of the new church, to be paid into the Com- 
mercial Bank of Albany, to be drawn out on the checks of 
the treasurer, certified by the chairman of the building 
committee. 

That the total amount of subscriptions for the new church 
and site, up to this time, including land, the value of our 
present church edifice, and Trinity Church donation, and 
the masons' subscription, is $13,800, of which $3,262.75 
has been collected, including the land subscription. 

That proposals from carpenters and masons in this city 
for building the new edifice having been invited by your 
committee, a number were sent in, the lowest of which for 
the mason work, was that of Mr. Henry Knight, who agreed 
to do the mason work, excavate the ground, and furnish all 
the materials except the cut stone, for the sum of $4,700, 
and take $1,000 of that amount in pews when the church 
is done, allowing the parish the first right of buying them 
back at the price paid by Mr. Knight. 

Your committee accepted Mr. Knight's proposition, and 
have entered into a contract with him accordingly. The 
highest estimate for the mason work was $5,900. 

The estimates for the carpenter's work by the Albany 
mechanics were so far above what your committee were led 
to believe it would cost, that they invited proposals from 
New York city. The lowest proposals sent in by Albany 
mechanics, was $6,800. Your committee received proposals 
from Messrs. John Johnston and Edward Garity, of New 
York, to do all the carpenter's work and painting, and fur- 
nish all the material, including all the glass but stained 
glass, for $4,700, if the pews were made of pine, and $4,800 
if the pews, &c, were made of black walnut. The last pro- 
posal was accepted at $4,800, and a contract entered into 
with these gentlemen to do the carpenter work, making the 
pews, &c, of black walnut. 

Mr. Knight has commenced the mason work of the new 
church, has excavated the ground, and has the foundation 
nearly completed according to the architect's plan. The old 



Trinity Church. 



19 



church has been advertised for sale, but no advantageous 
offers have as yet been made for it. The new building is to 
be completed by the first of November next. 

Your committee at the last meeting deemed it advisable 
to appoint a time for laying the corner stone of the new 
church, and to have suitable arrangements made in season 
for having public religious exercises on the occasion, and 
have therefore appointed the 10th day of May next for the 
laying of such corner stone, &c, and have appointed the 
Rector, Wardens, and Vestry the committee of arrange- 
ments. 

Tn conclusion, your committee would say they think the 
whole expense of erecting and entirely finishing the new 
church, will be $15,000, from which amount the expense 
will not much vary, one way or the other. This will eave 
$1,382 yet to be raised to free the parish from debt, when 
the work is done, if we realize the value of the old church. 

The cut stone necessary for the building, which the 
mason is not required to furnish, will cost $682, for which 
sum Mr. Wm. Gray has agreed with your committee to 
furnish the same. The stained glass is all that remains to 
be provided to complete the church, and that can be ob- 
tained for $250. All of which is respectfully submitted. 

Dated Albany, April 19, 1848. 



Thus it will be seen how much had been done for the 
erection of the new church up to the close of the ecclesias- 
tical year in 1848. 

On Easter Tuesday, April 25, 1848, the day for the 
annual election of officers, Messrs. R. H. Northrop, and 
Granville Slack were elected wardens; and Messrs. T. P. 
Waters, T. D. James, R. Parr, P. Van Benthuysen, John 
Ten Eyck. John M. Bullock, John Wright, and S. F. 
Phelps, vestrymen ; and at a meeting of the vestry on the 
27th of April, 1848, Messrs. S. F. Phelps, T. P. Waters, 
R. H. Northrop, T. D. James, Granville Slack, John Ten 



John M. Bullock, > 
R. H. Northrop, 
John Ten Eyck, \ 
Richard Parr, 
Edward Selkirk, J 



> Committee. 



20 



Trinity Church. 



Eyck, and the rector of the parish, were appointed a build- 
ing committee, to act in behalf of the vestry, in carrying 
forward the erection of the edifice already in process of 
building. 

On Wednesday, the 10th day of May, 1848, being the 
day recommended by the former building committee for 
the service of laying the corner stone, it was found that 
proper arrangements had not been completed, and hence 
it was postponed, and at a meeting of the board of vestry, 
on the 15tli inst., it was proposed that the services should 
be held on Thursday, the 18th day of May, 1848. That 
the secretary of the hoard send written invitations to the 
Episcopal clergymen of the city and vicinity, and put 
notices in the city papers inviting the public to attend ; 
which, having been done, a congregation assembled at the 
church, corner of Herkimer and Franklin streets, on the 
18th day of May, at 3 o'clock, p. M. There were present 
of the clergy, the rector, Rev Edward Selkirk, the Revs. 
Dr. Horatio Potter, Dr. Wm. I. Kipp, and the Rev. Mr. 
Spooner of Albany, the Rev. Mr. Van Rensselaer of Mt. 
Morris, the Rev. R. B. Fairbairn of Troy, and the Rev. G. 
Jones of Savannah, Georgia. The evening prayer was 
said by the Rev. Dr. Kip, rector of St Paul's Church, 
Albany, and the Kev. Mr. Spooner, of Grace Church, 
Albany, read the lessons. Services being ended, all the 
clergy present, robed in their surplices, formed in proces- 
sion, preceded by the wardens and vestrymen of the parish, 
and of the other parishes, and followed by the parishioners 
and citizens, walked to the site, where the procession, open- 
ing to the right and left, the clergy passed through and 
ascended a platform upon the foundation walls, reading re- 
sponsively the 122d Psalm. And approaching the north- 
east corner of the foundation, other services were conducted 
by the rector, agreeably to the forms for such service, set 
forth by the bishop of the diocese in the year 1836. The 
corner-stone was laid in the buttress at the north- east corner 
of the church, by the rector, the Rev. Edward Selkirk, in 
which was placed a leaden box containing a copy of the 
Holy Bible, a Book of Common Prayer, Journals of the 
last General and Diocesan Conventions, a historical sketch 
of Trinity Church in the city of Albany, a copy of the last 



Trinity Church. 



21 



Albany Directory, a map of the city, and the newspapers -of the 
city, of the latest dates. The choir then chanted the ap- 
pointed selections from various of the Psalms of David, to 
the great delight of the audience. The Rev. Dr. Potter, 
rector of St. Peter's Church, Albany, said the prayer which 
followed, when the following address was pronounced by 
the rector of the parish, and the services concluded by 
the Rev. Dr. Potter offering the closing prayers, and pro- 
nouncing the benediction. 

Address. 

"Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it 1 " 

Such is the language of the inspired Psalmist. In it, we 
recognize a principle that pervades the utiiverse. It is that 
of man's nothingness and God's all-sufficiency ; that in Him 
we live and move, and have our being; and that without His 
aid and approval, we can do nothing effectually ; and with 
it, we can do all things. 

This same principle is most manifest in the declarati6n, 
that Hezekiah of old, " in every work that he began in the 
service of the house of God, and in the Law, and in the 
Commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart," 
in humble reliance on God, and prospered. 

So, too, in the history of all God's dealings with the children 
of men, we find it indelibly written on every page, " That 
man is but weakness and that God is all-sufficient :" " That 
power belongeth unto God ; " and that man is but the instru- 
ment with which He executeth his power, as seemeth to Him 
good. 

Let us, therefore, look back for a moment and learn how, 
by His own power, God hath enabled man in his weakness, 
to advance His glory, by the erection of Temples made with 
hands, in which to worship and adore Him. 

In the hands of God, Moses was used as an efficient instru- 
ment in the erection of the first Tabernacle, called the 
" Tabernacle of the Congregation, " as a place of religious 
worship. 

The second Tabernacle, Moses built, in all its parts, by 
God's express command ; partly, as his residence as King 
of Israel, and partly, to be the medium of that solemn worship 
which the people were to render to God Himself. 



22 



Trinity Church. 



The third public Tabernacle was that which David erected 
in his own city, for the reception of the Ark when he received 
it from the house of Obed-edom. 

The fourth, and that which surpassed by far, in extent, in 
grandeur, in magnificence and costliness, all the others, was 
the Temple at Jerusalem, designed by the same Divine Archi- 
tect and built by man as His instrument. 

To David, God committed the work of providing the 
material for so vast a structure, and to his son Solomon, the 
work of executing His design. 

But how were the means provided, for carrying on and 
perfecting these vast and costly structures ? 

As to the second Tabernacle, which Moses built after the 
pattern which God gave him, we are told, " That Moses 
called the people together and informed them of the instruc- 
tions which he had received from God, and offered them an 
opportunity of contributing of their substance, toward so no- 
ble a work. And so liberully did the people bring their 
offerings for carrying forward this work, that Moses was 
obliged to restrain them in so doing although the structure 
to be built was of extraordinary magnificence and at a pro- 
digious expense, suitable to the dignity of the Great King, 
for whose palace it was designed, and to the value of those 
spiritual and eternal blessings, of which it was also designed 
as a type or emblem. 

Now, in all of this work, who can fail of perceiving an 
evident display of Divine power, in causing the weakness of 
man to praise Him ? 

So, too, in carrying forward the far greater work of build- 
ing the Temple at Jerusalem, man was but the instrument, 
and God the never failing source of ability and power to 
perform the same. 

It is often so wisely ordered, that when man's ability 
seems the least, he is enabled by God to perform the more, 
that all may see that it is not by the wisdom or the might of 
man alone, that the work he has in hand is to be accom- 
plished. For when God had suffered the first Temple to be 
destroyed and His chosen people to. be scattered abroad ; to 
make His power the more manifest, a few of His people, with 
but little ability, He caused to return, and commence the 
work of rebuilding their Temple. When, after a year's pre- 



Trinity Church. 



23 



paration, in the second month of the second year, they as- 
sembled to lay the foundation of their proposed Temple, 
which was done with great solemnity ; Zerubbabel, the 
governor, and Joshua, the high priest, being present, with 
all the congregation, the trumpeters blew their trumpets, and 
musicians sounded their instruments, and singers sung, all 
in praise to the Lord, their God ; and all the rest of the 
people shouted for joy, while the first stones were laid ; 
but those who had seen the glory of the first Temple, 
had no expectation that that which was then begun by a few 
poor exiles, lately returned to their country, could ever equal 
that which had all the riches of David and Solomon ex- 
pended in its erection and adornment ; for they looked not 
to the power of God, who spake to Zerubbabel by the mouth 
of Haggai, his prophet, saying : " The silver is mine and the 
gold is mine. The glory of the latter house shall be greater 
than that of the former ; and in this place will I give peace, 
saith the Lord of Hosts. " 

Now, my brethren, in the work before us, we have, from 
the first, recognized and acted upon this same divine principle. 
The nothingness of man, save only as he receives assist- 
ance from God, and God's all-sufficiency ; and hence, ability 
to do what he wills, making man, though weak in himself, 
yet strong to accomplish what seemeth to Him good. 

Relying, therefore, on God for ability to act ; relying on 
God to bless our efforts ; relying on God to act upon the 
hearts of men by the influence of His Holy Spirit, to 
incline them to give of their substance according as He 
gave them ability, for the erection of a Temple to be conse- 
crated to His service ; we took the preparatory steps, neces- 
sary to acomplish the work before us, which is now fairly 
begun. 

Our dependence upon God for aid to carry on the work, 
hath not been in vain. He who hath said, " Ask, and ye 
shall receive, " hath not in this instance failed to fulfill His 
promise. He hath influenced and made generous the hearts, 
and bountiful the hands of many, to give of that which they 
have received at His hand, for the erection of this Temple 
here begun ; and we doubt not, that other hearts are willing 
and other hands are ready, to bestow with cheerfulness, yea, 
with thankfulness, all that may yet be required to complete 



24 Trinity Church. 

the work, in a manner worthy to be given up and consecrated 
to His service, from whom cometh every good and perfect 
gift. And to His name, be all the honor and glory ascribed. 

Most, if not all of you, my Brethren, who are here to-day, 
know in what apparent weakness this work was commenced ; 
and how that many an honest heart (like the good old Israel- 
ites, when they saw a few poor exiles return to their country 
and commence the erection of the second Temple), doubted 
as to the ability to perform the work proposed ; while others 
were confident that they heard a voice saying, " The silver 
is mine and the gold is mine ; the glory of the latter house 
shall be greater than of the former; and in this place will I 
give peace, saith the Lord of Hosts." 

Now, my Brethren, whence come the preseut ability and 
strength to go forward in this work ? I answei' : From Him 
who never faileth to fulfill all that He promiseth to the child- 
ren of men, which fulfilment hath been accomplished mostly 
by individual offerings; for which, I trust, God, of His boun- 
teous goodness, will restore four-fold into their bosoms ; from 
Him, who, although He giveth, yet is not impoverished, and 
although He withholdeth, yet is" not enriched. 

Blessed by God in our efforts, when the preparatory steps 
necessary for carrying forward the work were successfully 
taken, in reliance upon God's all-sufficiency, to enable us to 
carry forward the work to its completion ; sensible of our own 
inability to do any thing effectually, without His aid, and 
desirous of manifesting our trust and faith in God's promises, 
by our acts ; we came up here : and, in the name of the 
Father, the Sonand the Holy Ghost, we commenced this work. 

Thanks be to Him who sitteth upon a throne high and 
lifted up, that He hath still vouchsafed to bless our efforts ! 
and hath now permitted us, with joyful and thankful hearts, 
to assemble here this day to offer unto Him our prayers and 
praises ; to implore His blessing upon our every work; to 
prosper the work of our hands, to the advancement of His 
own glory. That He hath permitted us to lay the chief 
corner-stone of our proposed superstructure, in which we have 
deposited a copy of His revealed will to man ; which, to all 
Christians, is the chief corner-stone, on which they build their 
hopes of happiness and Heaven. 



Trinity Church. 



25 



We have also placed therein a Book of Common Prayer, 
which will reveal, perchance, to generations yet unborn, what 
their forefathers held to be a faithful interpretation and em- 
bodiment of the doctrines to be believed, and precepts to be 
obeyed, as revealed to man in God's Holy Word. Also, in 
what form of sound words, they confessed their sins to Al- 
mighty God, professed their faith in Him and offered unto 
Him their daily prayers, praises and heartfelt thanksgivings. 

The other deposites are faithful records of the Church's 
legislation, her Constitution and Canons, and a list of the 
names of all those who, in these United States, now minister 
at her altars; a history of our own parish, which recounts 
the difficulties through which we have passed, up to the 
present ; the papers of the day, the faithful records of each 
event which marks the rapidity of Time's onward flight ; and 
a City Directory, pointing out the abode and occupation 
of those who, at this time, are called to act their part, in this 
city, in the great drama of life. 

But again. I have spoken to you who are here to-day, of 
the principle, recognized in a declaration of the inspired 
Psalmist, which pervades the universe ; namely, that of 
" man's nothingness and God's all-sufficiency." 

I have endeavored to fix in your minds the truth, that, in 
obedience to this principle, the weakness of man is made sub- 
servient to the glory of God. I have attempted to develop 
this truth, from the records of God's dealings with the children 
of men. I have laid it down as the principle, recognized and 
acted upon, up to this time, in carrying forward the work of 
erecting on this spot a Temple, to the glory, praise and wor- 
ship of Almighty God, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. 

Permit me, now, to lift for a moment, the veil which con- 
ceals from our view the future and behold the result of our 
united labor, conducted on this divine principle. For, as, 
I gaze into the future with my eye of faith undimmed by my- 
experience in the promises of God, methinks I see rising u,pon, 
the corner-stone, this day laid in the name of the Father and 
of tlie Son and of the Holy Ghost, a superstructure, fair in, 
its proportions ; simple in its construction; heau^ifiil in its 
simplicity of adornment ; chaste in all its expression^ of senti- 
ment and feeling ; solemn, from the sacred awe and reverence 
with which it affects the heart and tunes the soul to high 
4 



26 



Trinity Church. 



and holy meditation, to earnest prayer and to self-consecration 
to the service of Almighty God ; and hence, worthy to be 
consecrated to His service ; well suited and fitted, as a place 
in which man may love to dwell ; because there, he feels 
himself in the more immediate presence of God : a place too, 
where God shall be ever pleased to make His abode with 
man. 

The work is now complete ; and within those sacred courts, 
I seem to see many a devout worshiper, on lowly knee. I 
hear the fervent prayer, the song of praise, in lofty notes 
ascending ; while around the holy altar, are winged hosts 
attending, to bear away to Heaven the broken heart's deep 
yearnings for peace and rest above. 

There, to the sacred font, the mother brings her offspring 
dear, and to God presents him, a votive offering, clothed in 
garments white, emblems of purity ; while on his brow, is 
placed, in token of the faith in Christ once crucified, the 
symbol of the cross, with prayer, that, in after life, he may 
prove a faithful soldier under the captain of his salvation. 

There, too, beside the holy altar, stands the minister, by 
God's appointment, and breaks the bread of life ; and many 
a famishing soul draws near and eats and lives forever ! 

There, too, the Holy Ghost descending, as of old, in flames 
of fire, each heart is cleansed and purified and sauctified, 
and clothed in new attire : when back again to heaven, the 
message swift is borne and the llecording Angel writes down 
the ransom of a soul that never dies. While all the hosts 
of heaven begin anew that song, which, when men and angels 
form but one vast throng, shall fill the courts of Heaven and 
wake the eternal morn. 

If such, dear brethren, is in truth but a faint picture of 
what the future reveals as the result of our labors and our 
sufferings, directed in accordance with the divine principle 
which we have attempted to set forth, as that which guides 
our efforts in the work we have in hand ; who, I ask, may not 
well rejoice that they are counted worthy to be reckoned in- 
struments in the hands of an all-wise and all-sufficient God, 
in accomplishing his blessed designs — in building Temples, 
with in whose sacred courts there shall be offered, from age to 
age, upon the altar of man's heart, sacrifices acceptable to 
God ? 



Trimly Church. 27 

The work thus auspiciously commenced, was not to be 
completed without some perplexities and hindrances ; Mr. 
Knight, the mason, having failed to construct the window 
jambs agreeably to the plans, and refusing to alter the same, 
the architect, Mr. Renwick, served a notice upon the war- 
dens and vestrymen to that effect, and declared the contract 
abandoned and forfeited by Mr. Knight in consequence 
thereof, which notice was served upon Mr. Knight. This 
proceeding necessarily caused delay in the work, and on 
the 27th of July, 1848, iu vestry meeting, the building 
committee were directed by the vestry to " go on and ob- 
tain proposals for completing the mason work of the new 
church," and the chairman of the building committee was 
also directed by the vestry, to " forbid Mr. Knight from 
interfering any further with the mason work." 

After much delay, it was announced to the board of 
vestry, on the 17th of August, 1848, by Mr. Northrop, a 
member of the board, that he had had several interviews 
with Mr. Knight, the mason. That Mr. Knight had been 
to New York to see the architect, Mr. Renwick, who had 
consented that if Mr. Kuight would make the required 
alterations, and enter into a new contract to complete the 
work, he would agree thereto, and that Mr. Knight was 
ready to comply with the requirements of the architect. 
Mr. Northrop then moved " That the rector have and he 
hereby has authority to execute a new contract with Henry 
Knight, mason, to complete the mason work of Trinity 
Church according to the plans and specifications of Mr. 
Renwick, the architect, upon the following terms." The 
terms were, that certain alterations should be made, and 
certain remaining work to be done for the sum of $3,800, 
equal to the balance which would have been his due under 
the former contract. Such uew contract was accordingly 
entered into, and the work once more put in progress. 
Scarcely, however, had the work been begun, when in the 
mysterious providence of God, some thirty acres of the 
south-eastern portion of the city (which was densely built), 
was by one vast conflagration left in a few hours one mass 
of smouldering ruins. This event, so unexpected, neces- 
sarily embarrassed all financial operations in the city. 



28 



Trinity Church. 



The building committee of Trinity Church being depend- 
ent on the collection of many small subscriptions made by 
individual citizens, to meet the contracts they had entered 
into, at first were led to fear that they would be compelled 
to abandon the work in hand, at least for the time being. 
They were encouraged by their rector patiently to pursue 
the work, and wait the direction of an overruling Providence 
that doeth all things well. By the consent of the board of 
vestry, their rector, without delay went to New York city 
and laid the condition of his parish, and the work they had 
in hand, before the Hector, Wardens, and Vestry of Trinity 
Church, in that city, asking them to afford the necessary re- 
lief, by 'adding $1,500 to the sum of $3,500, which they had 
previously pledged in aid of the work in hand, when the 
parish should have done in good faith a specified amount, 
towards the erection of their church edifice. That board 
readily perceiving the inability of the congregation to pro- 
ceed further in their work without not only prompt, but 
increased aid, with their accustomed generosity, responded 
promptly and nobly to the appeal, and at once pledged to 
the parish of Trinity Church, Albany, the munificent sum 
of $5,000, payable at their pleasure, with a grant of $350 a 
year as the interest upon said $5,000, until such time as 
they should see fit to pay the same, which should be after 
the expiration of ten years. A bond from Trinity Church, 
New York, to the above effect, backed up by a mortgage on 
the lot and church then in process of building, enabled the 
building committee to realize the sum of $5,000, which ena- 
bled them to carry forward the work they had in band. 
Shortly after, the church edifice then occupied by the con- 
gregation, which had not been consecrated, was sold to a 
corporate body, by the name of the Mutual Benefit Associa- 
tion of the city of Albany, for the sum of $800, including 
most of the fixtures, except the organ, which was removed 
to the new church. Consequently, the last service held by 
the congregation of Trinity Church in their edifice, corner 
of Herkimer and Franklin streets, was on the feast of 
Christmas, 1848. 

Owing to the delay in the mason work of the new build- 
ing, already mentioned, the work was not completed at the 
time appointed, and winter setting in before it was com- 



Trinity Church. 



29 



pleted, it was at length agreed to abandon the work until 
the following spring, as the building was in such a state that 
it could be occupied for service. Consequently, the ladies 
of the congregation, ever ready and active in good works, at 
this time lent a helping hand and held a fair from which they 
realized nearly three hundred dollars, with which to pur- 
chase carpets, which being put down, and the church made 
comfortable, the doors were opened on the morning of the 
21st day of January, 1849, it being the third Sunday after 
Epiphany, for divine worship. 

Being provided with a permanent place of worship, the 
congregation as it were, became fairly established, although 
the church was not yet fully completed, yet they continued 
to worship in it until the following April, when services 
were suspended, and the mason, Mr. Knight, set about com- 
pleting his part of the contract, which was done, and for- 
mally accepted by the architect, in June, following, when 
the services were resumed. The carpenter's work was also 
finished and accepted at the same time, when both the con- 
tractors were paid in full on their contracts; the car- 
penter on the 14th of June, 1851, and the mason on the 
21st of the same month. 

To meet these last payments, and to free the corporation 
from all liability on account of the contracts for the erec- 
tion of the church, Messrs. Wm. H. Williams, L. L. Derby, 
R. H. Northrop and John Wright, gave their note as indi- 
viduals, which was endorsed by llobert Whitlock and others, 
for the sum of $1,200, upon which the money was obtained 
of Marcus T. Reynolds, and paid into the treasury of the 
church, which together with various amounts previously 
subscribed and then due, was. deemed amply sufficient to 
» pay all the indebtedness incurred by the building committee 
for the erection of the new church edifice. 

The corporation being thus freed from debt for the erec- 
tion of their church, the right Rev. Bishop Whittingham, 
Bishop of the Diocese of Maryland, then, performing episco- 
pal duties in the diocese of New York, by request of the 
standing committee of the diocese of New York, was in- 
vited to act as consecrator of the church to the service of 
Almighty Grod. 



30 



Trinity Church. 



Accordingly, due notice having been gived, Bishop 
Whittingharu arrived in town on the 9th day of Sept., 1849, 
and on the following day, it being the day appointed for the 
service of consecration, met with the clergy of the city and 
vicinity, at the house of Mr. Albert Gallup, No. 84 Westerlo 
street, where after robing, the bishop and clergy proceeded 
to the church, where a large audience had assembled to en- 
gage in the usual service of morning prayer, and of con- 
secration. When the bishop and several of the clergy in 
attendance had entered the chancel, the bishop, sitting in 
his chair, received from Richard H. Northrop, Esq., then 
senior warden of the congregation, the following deed of 
donation : 

" We, the rector, church wardens and vestrymen of 
Trinity Church in the city of Albany, having by the good 
providence of Almighty God, erected on the west side of 
Broad street, between Lydius and Westerlo streets, in said 
city, a house of public worship do hereby appropriate and 
devote the same to the worship and service of Almighty 
God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, according to 
the provisions of that branch of the church of Christ known 
as the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of 
America, in its ministry, doctrines, liturgy, rites and usages, 
and by a congregation in communion with the said church, 
and in union with the convention thereof in the diocese of 
New York. 

" And we do also request the Right Reverend William 
Rolinson Whittingharu, Bishop of Maryland, now adminis- 
tering the episcopal functions in the diocese of New York, at 
the request of the standing committee of the said diocese, to 
receive the said building in behalf of the Bishop of the Diocese 
of New York, under the spiritual jurisdiction of the said Bishop, 
and that of his successors in office, and to, consecrate the 
same by the name of Trinity Church, and thereby to sepa- 
rate it from all unhallowed, worldly, common uses, and so- 
lemnly dedicate it to the holy purposes above mentioned. 

" And we do, moreover, hereby relinquish all claim to any 
right of disposing of the said building, or allowing the use 
of it in any way inconsistent with the terms and true mean- 
ing of this instrument of donation, and with the consecration 
hereby requested. 



Trinity Church. 



3.1 



" In testimony whereof, we, the said rector, church war- 
dens and vestrymen, have caused this instrument of donation 
to be prepared, and have attached unto the same our corpo- 
rate seal, and signed the same, attested also by our respec- 
tive signatures and seals, this<e?^/t day of September, in the 
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty- 
nine." 

Edward Selkirk, John Clemeshire, 

Rector, [l. s.] Kelly Attwood, 
R. H. Northrop, James Jenkinson, 

John Wright, L. L. Derby, 

Wardens, [l. s.] Wm. H. Williams, 
T. P. Waters, Dr. W. B. Stanton, 

James T. Foster, Vestrymen, [l. s.] 

[Church Seal.] 

The above deed having been received by the bishop, he 
then proceeded to say the prayers set apart for such service, 
which being said, the following sentence of consecration 
was read by the Rev. 11. B. Van Kleeck, rector of St. Paul's 
Church, Troy, by appointment of the bishop : 

" In the name of the holy blessed and undivided trinity, 
God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, amen. Whereas, 
the rector, church wardens and vestrymen of Trinity 
Church in the city of Albany, have by an instrument this 
day presented to me, appropriated and devoted a house of 
public worship erected by them on the west side of Broad 
street, between Lydius and Westerlo streets in the said city 
of Albany, to the worship and service of Almighty God, the 
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, according to the provisions of 
the Catholic Church of Christ, known as the Protestant 
Episcopal Church in these United States of America, in its 
ministry, doctrines, liturgy, rites and usages, and by a con- 
gregation in communion with said church, and in union 
with the convention thereof in the diocese of New York. 

" And whereas, the same rector, church wardens and 
vestrymen, have, by the same instrument, requested me to 
receive the said building in behalf of the said Bishop of the 
Diocese of New York, under the spiritual jurisdiction of the 
said bishop, and that of his successors in office, and to con- 
secrate the same by the name of Trinity Church, and thereby 



32 



Trinity Church. 



separate it from all unhallowed, worldly and common uses, 
and solemnly dedicate it to the holy purposes above mentioned. 

" Now, therefore, know all men by these presents, that I, 
William Rolinson Whittingham, Bishop of Maryland, and 
now administering episcopal functions in the diocese of 
New York at the request of the standing committee of the 
said diocese, acting under the protection of Almighty God, 
and in His faith and fear, have, on this tenth day of Sep- 
tember, being the Monday after the fourteenth Sunday after 
trinity, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred 
and forty-nine, in behalf of the Bishop of the Protestant 
Episcopal Church in the Diocese of New York, and of his 
successors in office, accepted and do accept the above 
mentioned house of worship, and take the same under the 
spiritual jurisdiction of the Bishop of New York aforesaid, 
and that of his successors in office, and in presence of divers 
of the clergy, and a public congregation therein assembled, 
and according to the godly usage of the Catholic Church of 
Christ, and the form prescribed by the Protestant Episcopal 
Church in these United States of America, have consecrated 
the same by the name of Trinity Church. 

"And I do thereby pronounce and declare that the said 
Trinity Church, in the city of Albany, is consecrated ac- 
cordingly, and thereby separated henceforth from all un- 
hallowed, worldly and common uses, and dedicated to the 
worship and services of Almighty God, the Father, the Son 
and the Holy Ghost, for reading and preaching His holy 
word, for celebrating His holy sacrameuts, for offering to 
His glorious majesty the sacrifice of prayer, praise and^ 
thanksgiving, for blessing His people in His name, and for 
the performance of all other holy offices, and the administra- 
tion of all holy ordinances, agreeable to His will made known 
in the terms of the covenant of grace, and of salvation in 
our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, according to the usages 
of His Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, and the pro- 
visions of the Protestant Episcopal Church in these United 
States of America, in its ministry, doctrines, liturgy, rites 
and usages. 



Trinity Church. 



33 



In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my episco- 
pal seal and signature, in the day and year above written, 
and in the ninth year of my consecration." 

William Eolinson Whittingham, 
[ E settL pa1 ]' Bishop of Maryland, administering episco- 
pal functions in the Diocese of New York, 
at the request of the standing committee. 

Thus was the church edifice consecrated to the worship and 
service of Almighty God, the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost, 
and the congregation of Trinity Church (the third congrega- 
tion organized in the city of Albany agreeably to the usages 
and worship of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the 
United States of America) in possession of a permanent 
church edifice, set apart for religious worship and service, 
at the expiration of ten years and five days from incorpora- 
tion. And after five years and nine months from the ac- 
ceptance of the rectorship by the Rev Edward Selkirk the 
number of parishioners having increased to about three 
hundred souls and from 60 to 70 communicants. 

1849. The church edifice having been erected, and thus 
solemnly consecrated to God's service Sept. 10, 1849, at an 
expenditure in land and for the erection and furnishing of 
the edifice — of $15,594, as reported by the building com- 
mittee Dec. 19, 1849, there commenced as it were a new 
period in the history of the parish. 

Although the parish, as a corporation, had been freed 
from indebtedness for the church property, still individual 
members of the parish, had assumed an indebtedness of 
twelve hundred dollars ($1,200), to be provided for in 
the future, which sum, together with other expenditures to 
the amount of six hundred and fifty-eight dollars, wasfinally 
liquidated, by the sale of pews in the church, Sept., 1850, 
subject to a stipulated ground rent, payable quarterly, thus 
making the entire cost of the property to this date to aggre- 
gate seventeen thousand four hundred and fifty-two T 9 ^- 
(©17,452.97) dollars, as recorded in book of subscriptions, 
sales of pews, &c. Although so much had been accomplished, 
there was yet more to be done, and unlooked for difficulties 
were soon to be encountered. 

5 



34 



Trinity Church. 



During the summer of 1849, the furnace having been re- 
set in the middle of the church, the work proved to have 
been done in such a manner, that on the 11th of November 
following, only two months after the consecration, and shortly 
after the close of evening service, the building was dis- 
covered to be on fire. The alarm was soon given, but be- 
fore the fire could be extinguished, it had consumed a por- 
tion of the floor and carpets, and some five or six pews. 
Fortunately, the building was insured for $5,000, by the 
Albany Insurance Company. The facts relative to the 
fire were reported to the Vestry at a meeting on the 12th 
instant, by the Hector, and the report was referred to the 
building committee, who reported on the 19th as follows: 

" Your committee would report, that the Albany Insur- 
ance Company, with whom our new church edifice was in- 
sured, at the time of the fire on Sunday evening the 11th 
instant, commenced work immediately after the subject was 
referred to your committee, and are now restoring the church 
edifice to its former condition, doing all your committee be- 
lieve, that they are under obligation to do, faithfully and 
fairly. 

" Signed, Richard H. Northrop, T. P. Waters, James Jen- 
kinson, John Wright, Edward Selkirk." 

This unlooked for calamity, although the actual loss in 
dollars and cents was made good by the insurance company, 
nevertheless tended to discourage the people, and retard 
the work, of building up the parish, carrying us forward 
until after Christmas, before we could resume service. In 
the meantime, whilst the rector and vestry were laboring 
faithfully to carry forward and perfect the work of gathering 
in the subscriptions, and paying all claims for the work 
done, there sprung up a spirit of disloyalty on the part of 
others connected with the parish, which for a long time 
hindered and embarrassed the faithful, and praiseworthy 
efforts of those disposed to labor for building up the church 
of God. 

Still, the work went gradually on. As there was no 
provision for lighting the church, and as it was deemed desir- 
able to have a night service, a committee of the vestry was 
appointed to take the subject into consideration and report, 



Trinity Church. 



35 



and on the 23d of April, 1850, Mr. John Wright, chairman 
of the committee, reported to the vestry, that, the Albany 
Gas Light Company had offered to lay the pipes through 
the street, and that the gas-fitter, Mr. William Munsig, 
would put the gas-pipes and fixtures in the church for the sum 
of $160, whereupon Mr. John Kirkpatrick moved that a com- 
mittee be appointed to raise by subscription the required 
amount, and such committee was appointed, consisting of 
Messrs. John Wright, John Ingmire and John Kirkpatrick, 
who no doubt performed the duty assigned them, although the 
names of the subscribers have not been preserved. But 
soon after we find a record that gas-fixtures were put into 
the church and an evening service commenced, with a goodly 
attendance of worshipers. 

Up to this date, after occupying the new church, there 
was no provision for gathering the children together for 
Sunday School instruction. Therefore, the next important 
thing to be done, was to make such provision by finishing 
off a basement room under the church. To accomplish this 
a subscription was started, and the following are the names 
of the subscribers, and the amounts subscribed : 



Messrs. Tyler and Bullock (lumber), $5.00 

Mrs. Grace Anderson, 2.00 

Mr. Van Bentliuysen, 1.00 

Rev. E. Selkirk, 1.87 

Mr. Morgan, 50 



$10.37 

When this amount had been subscribed, it was proposed 
to ask for a collection in the church, which was done, and 
the amount of $49.05 was received, making an amount equal 
to the price of the lumber used, and Mr. William Moore, a 
parishioner, did the work gratuitously, and although the 
room was only floored, and provided with temporary seats, 
still the children were gathered in and the work of Sunday 
school instruction commenced, hoping that in the future 
means would be provided for finishing the work. 

With the small income of the parish, and the necessary 
increase of expenditures, it was found early in the year 1851 
that the parish had become embarrassed by constantly in- 
creasing indebtedness, and it was deemed expedient to make 



3G 



Trinity Church. 



an effort by a general subscription to liquidate the same. 
Although the sum required was in reality small, still as the 
people belonging to the parish were all poor people, it was 
to them really large, and besides the indebtedness had been 
accumulating from the fact. That persons belonging to the 
parish, had for some time designedly withheld their just dues, 
and otherwise sought to embarrass the work of building up the 
congregation. But God's ways are not as man's ways, as was 
finally made manifest in this case. For soon the following 
form of subscription was drawn up, and circulated with the 
following result : 

The undersigned, members of the parish of Trinity 
Church, desirous to do all in their power to sustain their 
parish, do hereby promise to pay for that purpose the sums 
set opposite their respective names, and would earnestly ask 
their fellow citizens to aid them in their work ; when being 
relieved from their present unlooked for embarrassment 
they will hereafter be enabled to sustain themselves. 

Albany, 1851. 



John Groesbeek, 

Franklin Town- 
send 

John Wright,... 

David W. Wood 
hail, 10.00 

Abner H. Hig- 
ham, 

Wm. E. Bleeker, . 

JohnKirkpatrick, 

Fredericklugmire 

John H. Ingmire, 

F. E. Anderson,. 

Win. Wrightson, 



$20.00 

, 10.00 
10.00 



1(1.0(1 
10.00 
5.00 
5.00 
5.00 
5.00 
5 00 



S. Groesbeeck, . . 5.00 

John Anderson, . . . 5.00 

Edward Owins, .. . 5.00 

C. S. Benton, 5.00 

C. C. Clark, 5.00 

C. W. Bently, 5.00 

W. J. Hadley, 5.00 

S. Croswell, 5.00 

T. Carson 5.00 

Theodore Town-. . 

send 5.00 

Eli Perry 5.00 

Mrs. Jenkinson... 5.00 

E. E. Kendrick,.. 5.00 



H. B. Benjamin,.. 3.00 

Grace Anderson, . . 2.00 

Cash (Johnson), . . 2.00 

H. Harris 2.00 



H. C. V. font, 
J. McKercher, . . . 
Geo. Cummings,. 

J. McElroy, 

R. Atkinson, 

Mr. Davis, 

Mr. Kennedy,... 
Mr. Patterson,.. 



2.00 
2 00 
1.00 
50 
50 
50 
25 
75 

$166.50 



Being thus relieved and encouraged by the receipt of the 
above subscriptions, and by the removal from the parish of 
those who sought to hinder and embarrass the work, those 
who remained set forward with united zeal to do the work 
committed to them. 

Nothing worthy of noteoccurred beyond the ordinary work 
of building upon the foundation already laid, with such ma- 
terial, and such means as could be gatherad, until the 18th 
of March, 1853, when the church and pew committee re- 
ported as follows : 



Trinity Church. 



37 



" That the'pews belonging to Bullock and Bender and Wm. 
A. Corbier, being in arrears over six months for rent, be de- 
clared forfeited, according to the terms of their deeds," 
when on motion the report was received, and it being moved 
by P. Ingmire, and seconded by John Kirkpatrick, it was 
resolved by a vote of seven to one that pew No 54 belonging 
to J. M. Bullock and A. H. Bender, and pew No 87 belonging 

to Wm. A. Corbier being in arrears for rent blank amount, 

and thereby being subject to forfeiture under the fourth 
section of their deeds, the said pews were declared forfeited, 
and all right and title and interest of the said parties, in and 
to the said pews, forfeited, ceased and determined. 

After this action of the board of vestry relative to the 
forfeiture of pews for non-payment of rent, nothing seems to 
have occurred affecting the history of the parish beyond the 
ordinary parish work for the next two years — when it was 
found, that there were several other pews in the church, 
which had been leased to individuals, who had failed to pay, 
for some time, the stipulated rent, whilst the pews remained 
nominally under their control, leaving the parish without 
an income to carry on the work. Under these circumstances, 
such being the condition, it was deemed just to take legal 
possession of all such pews, that they might be rented to 
occupants, who would thereby aid in carrying forward the 
parish work. Hence, at a meeting of the vestry on the 
29th of March, 1855, Mr. Agur Wells, then a warden of 
the parish, offered the following preamble and resolutions, 
to wit: "Whereas the corporation, known under the name 
and title of ' The Rector, Wardens and Vestrymen of Trinity 
Church, in the city of Albany,' did sell, grant and convey, 
by indenture, to Wm. A. Corbier, a certain pew in their 
church edifice in Broad street in said city, numbered 
thirty-seven, and did also sell and convey in like manner, 
to Wm. H. Topp, a pew numbered twenty-nine and to 
John M. Bullock and E. H. Bender, a pew numbered 
fifty-four and to Wm. H. Williams a pew numbered 
fifty-two, and to John Wright a pew designated by 
the letter 1 A,' and to Wm. Brown a pew numbered 
forty-two, and to George Moore a pew numbered forty- 
eight, and to Henry Finch a pew numbered thirty- 
six, and to Levi L. Dirby a pew numbered thirty-eight, 



38 



Trinity Church. 



and to Richard Smith, a pew numbered forty-three, 
and to Tremire and Wands, a pew numbered seventy; 
and whereas the above named pews were conveyed to the 
said individuals, by the party of the first part, subject to 
the payment by the parties of the second part, to the parties 
of the first part, of a stipulated annual rent, in quarterly 
installments. And whereas it is declared in the said instru- 
ment of conveyance — That if any annual rent, or increased 
annual rent shall not be paid to the party of the first part, 
in the installments, and at the times respectively when the 
same are (herein) declared to be — and to become due and 
payable, the said party of the first part, may by a vote of 
the vestry thereof, to be entered in their minutes, at any 
time after the expiration of six calendar months, from and 
after the time, when the said sums and installments so be- 
come due and payable — declare the right, title and interest 
of the party or parties of the second part, and of all persons 
claiming from the said party or parties, of, in and to the said 
pew, or pews, forfeited, and all right, title and interest, of 
the party or parties of the second part — and of all persons 
claiming from the said party or parties in or to the said pew 
or pews, shall thereupon cease and determine. 

" And whereas, the rents on the above named pews, have 
not been paid to the parties of the first part, according to the 
terms and conditions of the said conveyance of said pews 
respectively, but have become, and remained due and unpaid 
for more than six calendar months, and are still unpaid, 
therefore, 

" Resolved, 1. That we hereby declare the right, title and 
interest of the said parties of the second part in the said con- 
veyance, and of all persons claiming from the said parties, 
in and to the said pews, forfeited ; also, 

" Resolved, 2d. That Messrs. be, and they are hereby 

appointed a committee of the vestry, with full power to 
enter upon and take possession of said pews, and cause them 
' to be sold, in accordance with the terms and conditions of 

the instruments of conveyance, and report their proceedings 
to this board." 

Whereupon Mr. John Clemishire moved the adoption of 
the preamble and first resolution, Mr. Wm. Godson seconded 
the motion, which was put and carried unanimously. Mr. 



Trinity Church. 



39 



Godson moved, that the blank in the second resolution be 
filled by inserting the names of Messrs. Agur Wells and 
John Clemishire. The motion was seconded and carried 
unanimously. When Mr. William Headlam moved the 
adoption of the second resolution, as amended by the inser- 
tion of the names of Messrs. Wells and Clemishire as the 
committee, Mr. Henry Lathrop seconded the motion, which 
was likewise carried unanimously, and the board adjourned. 

The committee thus appointed, at a subsequent meeting, 
May 3d, 1855, of the vestry, reported to the board : That the 
committee had given notice of the sale of the pews, which 
had been declared forfeited for the non-payment of rent; on 
the 10th instant, and had also sent notices, as far as possible, 
to the original purchasers. 

The report was accepted, and Messrs. Wells and Clemishire 
were appointed a church and finance committee, to whom 
was entrusted the business of causing the pews thus adver- 
tised to be sold accordingly. This committee reported to a 
meeting of the vestry held Sept. 24th, 1855, as follows : 
'• To the Rector, Wardens & Vestrymen of Trinity Church. 
Gentlemen : The church and finance committee, to whom 
you intrusted the business of selling, and conveying certain 
pews in Trinity Church, which had been declared forfeited 
for non-payment of rent, respectfully report : That they 
caused said pews to be sold, after giving legal notice, on 
Monday the fourth day of June last, at 10 o'clock A. M. 
That the purchaser was the Rev. Edward Selkirk, for the 
sum of six hundred and fifty-four dollars, ($654^) 
which was less than the rents then due on said pews, and 
they have caused the said pews to be conveyed to the said 
purchaser, by the usual form of lease, or indenture. All 
of which is respectfully submitted. 

Signed. Agur Wells, ) ~ 

° t n r Committee. 

John Clemishire, J 

The pews thus sold were at once placed by the purchaser 
under the control of the vestry to rent the same as other 
pews. Thus having the use of all the principal pews in the 
church the people set forward in earnest in the work 
entrusted to them. And besides their regular rents, &c, a 



40 



Trinity Church. 



subscription was started to pay for coal, and other necessa- 
ries which amounted, according to the treasurer's book, to the 
sum of $120.50. But who the subscribers to this fund, were, 
remains unknown, save to Him who knoweth all things, as 
the record cannot be found. 

The next important event in the history of the parish, 
was the purchase of a lot, some 23 feet front, by about 
100ft. deep, adjoining the church lot on the north. The 
lot belonged to the estate of Henry Yates, deceased, and was 
to be sold at referee's sale. Whilst it was desirable to pur- 
chase the lot, for the purpose of erecting thereon, at some 
future time, a rectory for the use of the parish, the people 
were unable to furnish the means, wherewith to purchase. 
It was therefore necessary either to make a venture of faith, 
or lose the opportunity of securing the lot for the desired 
purpose. So as in the good providence of God means had 
been secured for carrying out successfully, much larger ven- 
tures of faith in the past, it was thought by the Rector, 
that this might safely be entered upon; consequently the lot 
was bought for eight hundred dollars ($800). 

The following form of subscription was drawn up, and 
the result will show, that the venture of faith was not made 
in vain : 

We, the undersigned, do hereby promise to pay to the 
treasurer of Trinity Church, Albany, the sums set opposite 
our respective names, to pay for a lot, lately purchased for 
the purpose of erecting a Parsonage thereon, at some future 
time, for the sole use of said Trinity Church in the city of 
Albany. 

Albany, June 9th, 1856. 



Agnr Wells, 

Robert L. Mulfers, 
William Headlam, 
John Clemishire, . . 
John Pritchard, . . . 
Wm. T. Johnson, . 
E. A. Selkirk,.... 

C. S Tripp, 

Edwin Luce, 

Charles E. Bleeker, 
J. B. Hadley,.. .. 

S. Whipple, 

Thomas E. Pitkin, 

John Fair 

J. H. Osborn, 

Wm. E. Bleeker, . . 
J. B. Plumb, 



$10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 



John L. School- 
craft, 

M. T. Reynolds,.. 
J. McNaughton, . . 
J. & Geo. Dexter, 

J. W. Eaton 

John V. L. Pruyn, 
John Tweddle, . . . 

A. M. Strong, 

S. B. McCoy 

C. Van Vecton, ... 
Wm. J. Thomas,. 
Dexter Reynolds, . 
Rufus H. King, . . . 
Moses Pattern, . . . 

Peter Cagger, 

Erastus Corning jr. 



10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 



John S . Perry, 

T. Roessle, 

A. Cunningham,.. 
W. T. Chuyes,.... 

A. W. Lee 

B. A. Towner, — 

Thomas Hun, 

Amasa J. Parker, . 
Walter S. Church,. 

J. K. Porter, 

J. S. Putnam, ... . 
T. A. Starkey, .... 

C. Palmer, 

Wm. Griffin, jr.,. . . 
G. A.H. Englehart, 
Sam'l Watson, . . . 
Edw'd Robinson,. 



10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
5.00 
5.00 
5.00 
5.00 
5.00 
5.00 
5.00 



Trinity Church. 



41 



C. Vosburgh 5.00 

R. C. Bently, 5.00 

Win. A. Young,.. 5,00 

James Edwards,.. 5.00 

V. B. Lockrow... 5.00 

T. B. Wheeler, .... 5.00 

A. Storrs 5.00 

Peter Allanson,..- 5.00 

John Stackpole,.. 5.00 

L. Bew 5.00 

John O. Hickcox, 5.00 

O. Meads 5.00 

J. H. Van Antwerp, 5.00 

S. Hawlev 5.00 

J. C. Y. Page, 5.00 

D. H Ford, 5.00 

Win. H. Rice 5.00 

Jas. Callanan. jr.,. 5.00 

Philip Ten Eyck,.. 5.00 

Wm.Kerr, 5.00 

R. Godley, 5.00 

Paul Cnshman, . . . 5.00 

Geo. Hoyt, 5 00 

Wright & Co...... 5.00 

G. L. Wilson 5.00 

L. L. Britton 5.00 

Mary E. Scribner. . 5.00 

W. G.O. Merrifleld. 5.00 

S. p. Brown 5.00 

Ch's B. Redrleld,. 5.00 

E. E. Kendrick, . . . 5.0 ) 
M. J. Veeder, 5.00 



James Kidd 5.00 

C. W. Bender, .... 5.00 
John Sill, 5.00 

B. Van Rensselaer, 5.00 
Wm. N. Fassel, .. 5.00 

L. Tremain, 5.00 

Steven Clark 5.00 

Geo. L. Ten Broek, 5.00 

R. Merrifleld 5.00 

R. H. Waterman, . 5.00 

D. B. Waterman... 5.00 
Wm. J. McAlpine, 5.00 

Frank Edson, 5.00 

D. Russell 5.00 

Wm. Godson 5.00 

Thomas Olcott, . . . 5.00 

Alex. Davidson, . . 5.00 

Geo. W. Warren, . 5.00 

Jno, D. Parsons, . . 5.00 

Thomas J. Strong, 5.00 

T. R. Cutler, 5.00 

Dr. Nelson, 5.00 

R. Steel 5 00 

C. M. Jenkins, .... 5.00 

Geo. Randall 5.00 

S. and W. S. Pad- 
dock 5.00 

Edward James, .. . 5.00 

J. W. Netterville, . 5.00 

J. C. Feltman, ... 5.00 

Jno. L. Randall, .. 5.00 

Cash, W., 5.00 



S. T. Savage, 5.00 

li. WaU'inian 3.00 

F. N. Sill 3.00 

Geo. Wrightson, . . 3.00 

Wm. Lacy 3.00 

G. C. Cuv'ler 3.00 

R. Humphrey 3.00 

H. S. Wells," 3.00 

J. Ridgwav 3.00 

S. W. Whitney,... 3.00 

Cash 3.00 

Cash, 3.00 

Cash, 3.01) 

Cash 3*0 

A. J. Wood 2.00 

Cash 2.00 

A. G. Graves, .... 2.00 

D.Harris, 1.00 

Cash 2.00 

L. B. Johnson, .... 2.00 

J. H 2.00 

Cash 2.00 

Cash 2.00 

Bullock, ......... 1.00 

Cash, 1.00 

Cash, 1.00 

Dorlon, 1.00 

Cash, .. 1.00 

Cash, 1.00 

Total, $S4T.OO 



But no sooner had this work been accomplished, than the 
people, encouraged by what had thus been accomplished by 
one venture of faith in extending the borders of Ziou, thus 
lengthening the cords and strengthening the stakes for a 
broader foundation on which to build in the future, than 
they set about raising means for painting the church exter- 
nally, and thus preserving the work already done. 

Therefore, in September, of the same year, 1856, the follow- 
ing subscription was circulated, with good success as will be 
seen : 

We, the undersigned, do hereby agree to pay to the 
treasurer of Trinity Church the sums set opposite our re- 
spective names, to defray the expense of painting, &c, said 
church edifice. 



Albany, Sept., 1856. 



R. L. Mulford 10.00 

Agur Wells 10.00 

MissN. Brown,... 10.00 

Wm. Headlam, . 5.00 

Henry Lathrop, .. . 5.00 

John Clemishire, . 5.00 

S. Hamilton, 5.00 

H. McElroy, 5.00 



James Hall, 2.00 

Miss Truax, 5.00 

S. Schuyler, 5.00 

H. Hastings, 5.00 

Eli Perry, 5.00 

Win. Davis 5.00 

B.C.Raymond,... 5.00 

J. Vauderpool, 5.00 

6 



Jessy Potts 5.00 

Giles Porter 5.00 

J. S. Van Rensse- 
laer, 5.00 

John Jones, 5.00 

F. W. Seward,.... 5.00 

Mrs Brower, 5.00 

J. A. Sickels 5.00 



42 



Trinity Church. 



Miss Morrow, 

Prof. L'Amory, .. 
Wm, B. Gregory, . 

Mrs. Cash, 

Mrs. Stanton, 

Samuel Payne, 

Mrs. Anderson, . . . 

J. P. Puss, 

J. Russell 

T. Fondey, 

T. Schuyler 

Mrs. Spanieling, . . 

R'd McGlinn, 

Wm. Godson, 

Total , 



5.00 
5.00 
5.00 
5.00 
5.00 
5.00 
3.00 
3 00 
3.00 
3.00 
3.00 
4.00 
2.00 
2.00 



J. S. Robins, 2.00 

Mrs. Bell 2.00 

Miss Williams, ... 2.00 

Jno. Parr 2.00 

Mr. Martin, 2.00 

Mrs. Wright, 1.00 

Mrs. Perdy, 1.00 

Mrs.Owins, 1.00 

Lightbody 1.00 

Win. E. Taylor 1.00 

Mr. Stewart, 1.00 

Mrs. Nelson 1.00 

J Pritchard 1.00 

Mrs. Pritchard, . .. 0.50 



Mrs. All.mson, 

Mrs. Turner, 

Mrs. Bell 

Mrs. Blake, 

Mrs. Jones, 

Mrs. Bailey, 

Mrs.Shuft'elbotham, 

Miss Bull 

Miss Cnmmings, . . 
Mrs. G. Stevens, . . 
Mrs. Jenkinson, .. 

Mrs. Gregory, 

Mrs. Levine, 



0.50 
1.00 
0.50 
0.25 
0.50 
0.50 
0.25 
0.35 
0.50 
0.50 
0.50 
0.50 
0.50 



$214.75 

This work having been accomplished in the year 1856, 
there seems to have been a short respite from all but ordi- 
nary parish work on the part of the rector, who had been 
mainly instrumental by his personal efforts, in raising all 
the foregoing subscriptions. 

But with the commencement of the year 1857, there seems 
to have been found other work necessary to be done. The 
rents of the pews had been kept at so low a rate, in order to 
be within the reach of people of small incomes, that after 
meeting the other expenses, there was almost necessarily, 
debts accumulating which could only be provided for by 
extra offerings in the form of subscriptions. Hence, when it 
was announced by the treasurer, that the treasury was empty 
and that the winter's coal was not paid for, the only alterna- 
tive was to appeal to the people who had been warmed and 
made comfortable in the house of God. And without any 
formal form of subscription, the following named persons 
gave, to liquidate the above named indebtedness of the parish, 
the sums set opposite their respective names : 

Agur Wells, $1.00 

James Turner, 1.00 

Heury Lathrop, 1.00 

Wm. Godson, 1.00 

John Pritchard 2.00 

Wm. B. Gregory, . . 1.00 
John Clemishire, .. 2.00 

James Bell 1.00 

Mrs. Owing 1.00 

Mr. McDonald, .... 1.00 

Mrs. Bell, 1.00 

Mrs. Perdy, 1.00 

Mrs. Crannell, 1.00 

Mrs. G. AndersoD,. 2 00 

Mr. Rowe 2.00 

Mr. McBride, 1 00 

Mrs. Spencer, 1.00 

During the year 1857 there seems to have been but little 
done to mark the onward progress of the parish, beyond 



Richard McCahe, . . 0.50 
Edward Bateman, . 5.00 
James Jenkinson, . 2.00 

Joseph Kirk 1.00 

Richard McGlinn,.. 1.00 

Mrs. Woodhall 1.00 

Peter Allanson 2.00 

Thomas Easterly,. . 0.50 

Mr. Fitch 2.0o 

Wm. Reilly 1.00 

J. L. Wendell, .... 1.00 
Mrs. Shull'elbotham 2.00 

Mrs. Bailey, 1.00 

Geo. Cummings, . . . 1.00 

James Gass, 0.50 

Mis. Twaddle 0.25 

A. Lawson, 0.50 



Mrs. Lawson, 1.00 

Mrs. Poster, 1.00 

Mr. Hewitt, 1.00 

Mrs. Bell, 1.00 

Miss Morrow, 1.00 

Mr. Cochran, 2.00 

Mr. Penstoue, 1.00 

John Fair 3.00 

Mr. Ward, 1.00 

Mrs. Nelson, 1.50 

Mr. Wilson 1.00 

James Hogau, 1.00 

'1'. Mayes 1.00 

James Mullen, 1.00 

John Wain wright, . 1.00 

$00.75 



Trinity Church. 



43 



gathering of the above amount, and the ordinary work of 
the regular services. After Easter, 1857 to Easter, 1858, 
there was but one meeting of the vestry. At that meeting Mr. 
Agur Wells offered the following preamble and resolution : 

'■ Inasmuch as we believe ourselves as a corporation to 
have been wronufully taxed, on a portion of the yard on the 
north side of our church edifice, therefore 

Resolved, That our rector, as chairman of the board of 
vestry, be, and is hereby requested, and authorized, to peti- 
tion the board of supervisors in our behalf to refund to him 
the amount of said tax." 

The preamble and resolution were adopted unanimously, 
and it may be here recorded to the honor of the board of 
supervisors, that the petition was made by the rector as de- 
sired and directed, and the tax was in due course of proce- 
dure, refunded. 

At the same meeting, the lay delegates were appointed to 
attend the annual Diocesan convention, which was to be held 
in St. John's Chapel in the city of New York, on the 30th 
of Sept., 1857. 

Early in the spring of 1858, the city fathers sent a notice 
to the corporation of Trinity Church, that the side walk in 
front of their church must be flagged, which being made 
known to the board of vestry, with an empty treasury, they 
were obliged again to make a special appeal to the members 
of the congregation, for means to defray the expense. The 
following form of subscription was drawn up and circulated 
among the parishioners, with the following success. 

We, the undersigned, hereby promise to pay to the trea- 
surer of Trinity Church, the sum set to our respective 
names, towards defraying the expense of flagging the side 
walk in front of said church edifice. 

Albany, 1858. 

Wm. J. Bell $5.00 

Wm. Godson, 3.00 

Wm. B. Gregory,.. 1.00 

James Turner 2.00 

James Bell 5.00 

John Pritchard, .... 5.00 
Henry Lathrop, . . . 2.00 

A. S.' Beers, 2.00 

John Pair, 5.00 

T. Easterly, 2.00 

G. Cummings, 2.00 



J. Clemishire, 5.00 

J. L. Wendell, 1.00 

D. Anderson, 2.00 

Wm. Stevens, 1.00 

A Friend, 3.00 

A Parishioner, 1.00 

C. Blake, 0.50 

E. Shuffelbotham, . 2.00 

Mrs. J. Owing, 2.00 

G. W. Fairman, . . . 5.00 

J. Jeukinson 2.00 



L. W. Russell, . . 1.00 

J. Johnson, 2.00 

G. Stevens, 2.00 

G. Fazackerly, .... 1.00 

Cash, 1.00 

E. Doniery 2 00 

Miss Morrow, 3.00 

Wm. Fitch, 1.00 

§71.50 



44 



Trinity Church. 



Scarcely had the above subscription been gathered in, 
when, by a dishonest sexton, who had collected about one- 
half of a quarter's pew rents which he appropriated to his 
own use, and which had been relied upon, to defray neces- 
sary expenses, of insurance and coal, there became another 
necessity to call upon the people for another extra offering, 
which call was responded to, as the treasurer's book shows 
by a subscription of over $50. 

In the fall of 1 858, the corporation of St. Peter's parish, hav- 
ing by the vestry thereof, resolved to demolish their church 
edifice, for the purpose of erecting on the same site a larger 
and more permanent building, and as they would thereby 
be without a place of worship, therefore the rector of 
Trinity Church called a meeting of his vestry, and stated to 
them that " the object of the meeting was to take into con- 
sideration the subject of tendering to the vestry of St. Peter's 
Church, the use of Trinity Church; whereupon, on motion 
of Mr. John Clemishire, the following preamble and resolu- 
tions were unanimously adopted : 

" Whereas, The vestry of Trinity Church have been in- 
formed, that the corporation of St. Peter's Church are about 
to take down their present church edifice, in order to re- 
build the same upon the present site, and whereas, they 
will necessarily be deprived of their accustomed place of 
worship for some length of time, therefore, 

" Resolved, That the rector, wardens and vestry of Trinity 
Church, do hereby tender to the congregation of St. Peter's 
Church, the free use of our church edifice, for one service 
on each Sunday, during the time they may be engaged in 
erecting their new church edifice ; also, 

" Resolved., That the time of such service be regulated, and 
directed by the rectors of the respective parishes ; also, 

" Resolved, That a committee of two be appointed by the 
chair, to wait upon the rector of St. Peter's Church, and 
present to him a copy of the foregoing resolutions, and that 
said committee be instructed to inform the rector of St. 
Peter's Church, that if any other arrangement of the service 
would he more agreeable to him, that he can confer with 
the rector of Trinity Church, and that any arrangement thus 
entered into with him, will be agreeable and satisfactory to 
the parish of Trinity Church." 



Trinity Church. 



45 



The chair appointed Messrs. James H. Turner and John 
Cleniishire said comruitteee. 

The committee, thus appointed, waited upon the rector of 
St. Peter's Church, and presented to him a copy of the above 
proceedings of the vestry, and, in reply, the rector of Trinity 
Church received from the rector of St. Petei-'s Church, the 
following letter : 

St. Peter's Kectory, Nov. 8, 1858. 

Rev. Edward Selkirk. 

Dear Sir : At a late meeting of the vestry of St. Peter's 
Church, it was my pleasure to present the resolutions of the 
vestry of Trinity Church, tendering to us the use of their 
church edifice, for one service every Sunday during the 
rebuilding of our parish church. Whereupon, it was 

Resolved, That the Rector be requested to acknowledge 
this kind offer, and to say, that should circumstances 
make it necessary or expedient, we should be most happy 
to avail ourselves of it. But that desiring, as we naturally 
do, the exclusive possession of a building, for full Sunday 
services, we have secured the temporary use of a room in 
the Geological building. Should this room not prove con- 
venient, or should we not be able to obtain it permanently, 
we may be desirous of considering your friendly offer, by 
endeavoring to make such arrangement as shall be mutually 
satisfactory. 

I am, with great respect, 

Your friend and brother, 
Thomas C. Pitkin. 

At a meeting of the vestry held May 4th, 1859, I find 
the following preamble and resolution offered by Mr. A. S. 
Beers : " Whereas on last Christmas Eve our rector, in 
behalf of the parish of Trinity Church, received as a pre- 
sent a beautiful cornrnunion service of six pieces, and as 
we are informed, by our rector, that the said service was 
purchased by the joint offerings of various friends of the 
parish in this city, through the solicitation of Mrs. Louisa 
Gilchrist, and her sister Miss Anna Hendrickson ; therefore, 

" Resolved, That while it gives us much pleasure as a board 
of vestry to receive the service in behalf of the parish, we 
do return the heartfelt thanks of ourselves, and also of the 



46 



Trinity Church. 



congregation to the ladies who so kindly solicited the means 
for its purchase, and also to each and all of the contributors. 

" Resolved, That a copy of the preamble and resolution be 
sent by the clerk of the vestry, to Mrs. Gilchrist, and Miss 
Hendrickson." 

Nothing more seems to have been done to require par- 
ticular note in the history of the parish until the fall of 
1860, when at the meeting of the vestry it was 

" Resolved, That it is necessary to procure a new furnace 
for the use of the church, and that the subject be referred to 
the church and finance committee, with power to act, and 
to procure the same, as soon as may be." The committee 
set about the work thus committed to them, and caused a 
new furnace to be placed in the church at an expense of some 
two hundred dollars ($200) which amount the treasurer's 
book shows, to have been collected by subscriptions made 
for that purpose, although the record of the individual sub- 
scriptions, and the amount thus given is not to be found. 

In December following, a vestry meeting having been 
called, the rector stated to the board : " That the meeting 
had been called for the purpose of expressing in a suitable 
manner, the feelings of the vestry, in relation to the late 
death of our senior warden, James H. Turner, which took 
place on the 18th inst., when on motion of Mr. A. S. 
Beers, junior warden, the following preamble and resolu- 
tions were unanimously adopted : 

"Whereas, It has pleased our Heavenly Father by his wise 
hut inscrutable providence, to remove by death from our 
church and communion, our worthy brother, James H. 
Turner, senior warden of this parish, therefore, 

;< Resolved. That by his death the church deplores the loss 
of a worthy Christian brother, the vestry a prudent and 
faithful member, and the community a peaceable and valu- 
able citizen. 

" Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with the family of 
the deceased in their sad bereavemeut, and sincerely desire 
to mingle our tears with theirs, at the same time remembering 
that we do not sorrow as those who have no hope, believing 
that he has entered upon that rest which remaineth for the 
people of God. 

" Resolved, That a copy of the foregoing preamble and 
resolutions be presented to the family of the deceased, and 



Trinity Church. 



47 



a copy of the same be entered in the minutes of our church 
records. A. S. Beers, Clerk." 

At a meeting of the vestry held May 10th, 1861, the 
rector officially announced to the board, the death of the 
bishop of the diocese, the Rt. Rev. Benjamin Treadwell 
Onderdonk, D.D., who departed this life on the 30th day 
of April preceding, whereupon a suitable preamble and 
resolution were adopted, a copy ordered to be sent to the 
bereaved family, and the same recorded in our minutes. 

The church edifice was draped in mourning for one month. 

Notwithstanding that one of the largest and most approved 
furnaces had been put in the church in the fall of 1860, 
it did not meet the expectation of the vestry in warming the 
church. The consequence was, that in the fall of 1861, it 
was thought necessary to make further provision for heating 
the church ; consequently I find that at a meeting of the 
vestry held September 17, 1861, Mr. Henry Lathrop of- 
fered the following resolution : 

" Resolved, That the rector, and finauce committee be 
authorized to confer with Mr. Henderson, relative to sup- 
plying the church with more heat, and report their doings 
at a future meeting of the vestry," which was passed. 

The action of this committee resulted, in causing two of 
Mr. Henderson's parlor heaters to be placed in the Sunday 
school room, in the basement of the church, in such a man- 
ner, as to carry the air heated, either into the body of the 
church, or into the school room, as it might be desired. 
These heaters proved quite effective, with an additional ex- 
pense of some fifty dollars, thus keeping up the necessity, 
year by year, of extra exertions to meet necessary expenses. 

As there was no meeting of the vestry during the re- 
mainder of the year, after the above committee was ap- 
pointed, therefore, their report was not made until after the 
election of wardens and vestrymen in the year 1862, at a 
meeting held on the eighth of May. 

Duriug the winter of 1862 and '63, there occurred a vio- 
lent storm, the wind blowing with such power, as to cause 
much damage to buildings. Unfortunate^ for the parish, 
the church edifice was considerably damaged, by having 
portions of two of the pinnacles on the south tower blown 
down, besides other damage. The edifice also required other 



48 



Trinity Church. 



repairs, and the roof stood in great need of a coat of paint. 
Consequently, at a meeting of the vestry held June 15, 
1863, " On motion, the church and finance committee 
were instructed to make such arrangements in regard to 
the necessary repairs to the church, as should be best cal- 
culated to protect and preserve the property of the church." 

In accordance with the above instructions the necessary 
repairs were made as reported by the finance commit- 
tee, June 20, 1862, at an expense of $163.63. These 
and other necessary expenses, for repairs, and coal, and 
painting, had gone on incumbering the parish with debt, 
until, in 1865, it was found necessary to set in motion 
another subscription, to raise means to pay off the indebt- 
edness thus accumulated, as will be seen by the following- 
resolution, passed, at a special meeting of the vestry, held 
Oct. 11th, 1865, to take into consideration the subject of the 
repairs of the church. 

■ l Resolved, That an effort should be made to raise by sub- 
scription the sum of three hundred and fifty dollars, in 
order to relieve the parish from the present indebtedness, 
and that a subscription be circulated by the church and 
pew committee, for that purpose." 

Whereupon the following form of subscription was drawn 
up, and the sums subscribed as follows : 

We, the undersigned, do hereby contribute to the treasurer 
of Trinity Church, the sums set opposite our respective 
names, towards the sum of three hundred and fifty dollars 
($350) to defray the expense of necessary repairs made on 
the church edifice, and for naying for coal. Albany, Oct., 
1865. 



T. R. Blake, 

Wm. Granger, . . 
Geo. Cummings, .. 

Wm. Little, 

James Bell 

Wm. Godson 

Mr. Patten, 

John Tracy, 

J. J. Austin, 

Case, (J. Y.), 

Cash, (E. C), 

John A. Goewey,. 
Wm.H. Taylor,.. . 
Coolidge Pratt & 

Co., 

Rufus H. King, ... 

Total, 



$15.00 
15.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
70 00 
10 00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 
10.00 

10.00 
10.00 



Skinner & Arnold, 

A. S. Beers, 

Jno. A. Howe, 

Richard Parr, 

Evan James, 

Simon Bell, 

Harris Parr, 

Eli Perry, 

James Kidd, 

Mrs. Bulger, 

Mrs. Turner, 

H. Wait 

Arthur Boyle, 

Mrs. R. Ledger, . . 

Mrs. Brower, 

John Sheridan, . . . 



10.00 
5.00 
5.00 
5.00 
5.00 
5.00 
5.00 
5.00 
5.00 
5.00 
5.00 
5.00 
5.00 
3.00 
3.00 
2.00 



Wm. Grey, 

S. H. White, 

M. Boyle, 

J. W. Mesick, ... 
Miss Cummings,.. 

Joseph Kirk, 

Mrs. Turner, 

Maria Foster, 

Jane Spencer, 

Mrs. Twaddel, 

Alex. Strain, 

John Simpson, . . . 
Mrs. McFarland, . . 

T. C. Flynn, 

John Downing,. . . 



2.00 
2.00 
2.00 
2.00 
2.00 
2.00 
1.00 
1.00 
1.00 
1.00 
1.00 
1.00 
1.00 
1.00 
1.00 

.$255.00 



Trinity Church. 



49 



To the above amount the " Ladies Parish Aid Society," 
contributed from their treasury the sum of eighty dollars 
($80), which fact being reported to the Vestry, at a meeting 
held April 4, 1865, it was 

" Resolved, That the thanks of the vestry are due, and are 
hereby cheerfully presented, to the president, and ladies, of 
the " Ladies Parish Aid Society " for the assistance they have 
rendered us and the church, by paying into the treasury, the 
sum of eighty dollars ($80)." 

Which was unanimously carried. 

The above work having been accomplished during theyear 
1865, nothing of importance was done, beyond the ordinary 
workings of the parish, until after the election for wardens 
and vestrymen held .April 22, 1867, when at a meeting of 
the vestry held May 18, 1867, after the ordinary business of 
appointing committees, and receiving and examining the 
report of the treasurer, and ordering it recorded, the 
rector of the parish proposed to the vestry, with their 
approval and concurrence, to make one more large venture of 
faith, for the purpose of doing a work which he had had in 
contemplation for a number of years, and which when ac- 
complished, would for all time to come, serve as an endow- 
ment, to aid in carrying on the work of gathering in souls to 
the Redeemer's kingdom on the earth. The parish was in 
possession of a lot purchased for the purpose of building 
thereon, a suitable rectory in keeping with the architecture 
of the church edifice, as a residence for the rector of the 
parish for all time to come. This work would necessarily 
require a large expenditure of means, which the vestry were 
well aware, that the congregation was not able to contribute, 
and therefore, when the rector proposed to set about so large 
a work, it was thought by them, to be a work impossible to 
be accomplished. He, however, thought otherwise, having, 
for nearly a quarter of a century, been engaged in a work 
which required constant ventures of faith, in the same direc- 
tion, and therefore he felt inclined still to go forward, as be- 
fore. Consequently, as a last effort for the permanent 
establishment of the parish of Trinity Church, for the build- 
ing up of which he had given his entire ministerial labor for 
twenty-three years, it being the first and only parish, he had 

7 



50 



Trinity Church. 



ever had in charge, he proposed to raise a sum hy subscription, 
of Dot less than eight thousand dollars ($8,000), including 
the land, which had before been purchased by subscription, 
and then valued at two thousand dollars ($2,000). To this 
proposition the vestry assented, as will he seen by the follow- 
ing resolution : 

"Resolved, That we have heard the proposition of the Rev. 
Edward Selkirk to raise a conditional subscription of eight 
thousand dollars ($8,000), including the land, for the purpose 
of erecting a rectory on the lot north of the church. And 
that we heartily approve of the same." 

Carried. 

In this proposed work, the rector expressed his willing- 
ness to take the entire responsibility, which was entrusted 
to him by the church and finance committee. So large a 
work, as was thus proposed to be done, was not expected to 
be accomplished without much toil ; to be commenced, con- 
tinued and persevered in, for a goodly length of time, in 
constant dependence on an overruling providence, for direc- 
tion and guidance day by day. 

Having surveyed the field of labor with some degree of 
care ; and estimated the cost of time and strength which 
would be required on or about the middle of June, 18G7, 
a book was procured and labeled on the outside of the cover 
as follows : 

" Subscription for building a rectory for the parish of 
Trinity Church. 
"Albany, 1867." 

Then a photograph of the Rectory, proposed to be built 
from a drawing made by James Renwick of New York, the 
architect of the church, was procured and placed in the book 
that all might see what was to be the style of the proposed 
rectory to be built. And then the following form of sub- 
scription was inserted, and the work was fairly commenced, 
with the following success : 

We, the undersigned, do hereby promise and agree, to 
pay to the treasurer of Trinity Church the sums set opposite 
our respective names, to defray the expense of building a 
rectory for said parish ; whenever there shall be subscribed 



Trinity Church. 



51 



hereuuto the sum of 

land heretofore paid 

Laud estimated, $2000.00 
John A. Goeway, 200.00 
Wm. H. Taylor,.. 200.00 

D. Skinner, 100.00 

J. Owen Moore,.. 100.00 
John V. L. Pruyn, 100.00 
Richard J. Story, 100.00 
Charles Turner,.. 100.00 

A. B. Pratt, 100.00 

Richard Parr,.... 100.00 
S. H. Ransom & 

Co., 100.00 

Erastus Corning, 100.00 
John Tweddle,.. 100.00 
J. McBride, Dav 
idson, & Co., . . 
John Tracyjr., . 
W. M. Tweed, . . 

Wm. Little 

Wm. Grey, 50.00 

Evan James, 50.00 

Isaac Bulger, 50.00 

J.G.White & Son, 50.00 
T. M. Amsdell,.. 
W. H. Collgrove, . 
JohnKeunedv. jr., 
J. V. C. Teller, . . 
Francis Clark,.. . 
James R. Hartley, 
H. Underwood, . . 
Geo. C.Treadwell, 

Edwin Luce 

Edwiu W. Corn- 
ing, 50.00 

Benjamin Marsh, 50.00 
J. D. Parsons,... 50.00 

M. Masinnis 50.00 

H. & W. C. Hotal- 

ing, 50.00 

Moses Patten,... 50.00 
Jacob Leonard... 50.00 
Joseph Packard,. 50.00 
Teachers & Scho- 
lars S. School,. 
Ladies Parish Aid 
Society. ..... 

Geo. Cummings, . 
John Pritchard, . . 
John Pennie, jr., 
John A. Howe, . . 
James Gazeley, . . 
Thomas Mayes,.. 
SairTl Robinson,. 
Charles Seymour, 

A. Bovle, 25.00 

J. A. Patterson,. 25.00 
William Todd,.. . 55.00 

C. D. Mosher, 25.00 

H. W. Silsby 25.00 

G.W.Hoxsie&Co. 25.00 
Ezra B. Bennett, . 25.00 



eight thousand dollars, including the 
for by subscription : 



100.00 
100.00 
100.00 
50.00 



50.00 
50.01) 
50.00 
50.00 
50.00 
50.00 
50.00 
50.00 
50.00 



50.00 

57.00 
50.00 
25.00 
25.00 
25.00 
25 00 
25.00 
25.00 
25.(10 



John S . Perry. . . 
Jas. H. McClure,. 
D. B. Tunnecliff,, 

L. Pruyn, 

Jos. Lewis, 

John Fisher, 

J. Munsell, 

S. O. Vanderpool, 



$25.00 
25.00 
25.00 
25.00 
25.00 
25.0i 
25.00 
25.00 



L. Bew 25.00 



J. C. McClure,.. . 

J. E. Roessle 

John H.Reynolds, 
Geo. H.Benjamin, 
B. C. Humphrey, 
B. Wilson & J. 

A. Lansing, 

George Evans, . . . 
Robert Robinson, 
Orlando Meads,. . 
Bareut P. Staats, 
Alex. S. Johnson, 
Benjamin Grey,. 



25.00 
25.00 
25.00 
25.00 
25.00 

25.00 
25.00 
25.00 
25.00 
25.00 
25.50 
25.00 



S. E. Marvin 25.00 



C.M.Jenkins,... 25.00 

Juo. M. Nelson,. 25.00 

David urr, 25.00 

B. C. Scribner, . . . 25.00 

L. Lansing, jr.,.. 25.00 

A. C. Pulling,.... 25 00 

Mrs. Moffit 25.00 

R, C. Fenton, . . . 25.00 

John Fensham, .. 25.00 

Henry G. Radcliff, 25.00 

E. D. Worcester,. 25.00 
Dr. Herrick & Co., 25.00 

J. H. Bullock 25.00 

Jas. E. Pomfret,.: 25.00 

H. A. Dwight, .... 25.00 

J. H. Ramsey,.... 25 00 

J. H. Clute, 25.00 

James W. Eaton,. 25.00 
J. Woodward, Jr. 
P. H. Ten Eyck, . 
Amos Pilsbnry, . . 
Thomas Mulliall, 
Franklin Town 

send, 25.00 

Rnfus H. King, . . . 25.00 

Henry L. King,.. . 25.00 

Douglas White,... 25.00 
Wm7 G. Thomas, . 
Abm. V. Yechten 
J. Howard King,. 
Mrs. Jno Hunter, 

L. M. Rodgers 25.00 

Alanson Sumner, . 25.00 

J R. Herrick 25.00 

F. J. Barnard,.... 25.00 

Arthur Bott, 25.00 

Cash (Newton),... 25.00 

James Kidd, 25.00 



25.00 
25.00 
25.00 
25.00 



25.00 
25.00 
25.00 
25.00 



Wm. K. Clnte, sub. 

$25, paid $ 10.00 

Sumner & Hascy,. 25.00 

Charles E. Leland, 25.00 

Lyman Trcrnain,.. 25.110 

Harris Parr, .... 25.00 

Cash (Hoff n),. 25.00 

G. Hinckel 25.00 

Quin & Nolan 25.00 

Mrs. C. Austin,.. . 25.00 

Richard Parr, Jr., . 25.00 

N. Osbom, 25.00 

W. B. Scott 25.00 

Morgan Dix 25.00 

Jno. S. Perry, 25.00 

Isaiah Blood, 25.00 

Juo. M. Nelson,. . . 25.00 

James Hendrick, . . 25.00 

Wm. Lacy, 20.00 

J. W. Harcourt,... 20.00 

Charles Hilton,... 20.00 

S. Gihbs 20.00 

Jas. Ten Eyck, .... 20.00 

W. W. Hill, 20.00 

N. W. Macomber,. 20.00 

G. W. Mesick, .... 20.00 

S. Y. Hawley, 20.00 

Joseph Kirk 20.00 

J. A. McKown, . . . 20.00 
Horace L. Emery,. 20.00 

Geo. Martin 20.00 

B. A. Towner, . . . 20.00 

John N. Parker,.. 20.00 

LemonThompson, 20.00 

J. Benedict* Son, 20.00 

J. B. Kelley, 20.00 

S.W.Barnard,... 20.00 

J. R. Silliman, . . . 20.00 

S. B. Towner, .... 20.00 

Daniel S.Lathrop, 20.00 

W. J. Allen 20.00 

Dobler & Co.,.. .. 15.00 

Jno. C.Feltman,. 20.00 

Fred. Townsend,. 20.00 

A. X. Parker 20.00 

James Kidd 20.00 

P. H. Ten Eyck, . 20.00 

Angelo Ames 20.00 

P. H. Wendell, . . . 20.00 

Jno. D. Parsons... 20.00 

James Ten Eyck, 20.00 

E. Evertson 20.00 

Andrew Dickey,.. 20.00 

Geo. S. Wever,... 20.00 

Dr.F. E.Andrews, 20.00 

Henrv L. King, . . 20.00 

Geo. W. Packard, 20 00 

Wm. G. Weed,... 20.00 
Edmund L. Jud- 

son, 20.00 

W. Dey Ermand,. 20.00 



52 



Trinity Church. 



Wm. J Hadley,.. $20.00 

J. J. Austin, 20.00 

K. Corning, .. 20.00 

A. BleeckerBanks, 20.00 
W. L. Learned,... 20.00 
Frank Chamber- 
lain 20.00 

M. Hale, 20.00 

J. V. L. Pruyn,... 20.00 

Geo. W. Miller,.. 20.00 

L. Chamberlain,.. 20.00 

S. B. McCoy,. .. . 20.00 
Mrs. Daniel L. 

Lathrop 20.00 

Geo. W.Mierman, 20.00 

Jno. McElroy, .. . 20.00 

Rob. T. Sherman, 20.00 

J. W. Tillinghast, 20.00 

Wm. Granger, . . . 20.00 

J. Howard King, . 20.00 

Jno. Tayler Coop- 20.00 

er, 20.00 

Wm. Dovle 20.00 

James Bell,. ... 20.00 

B. C. Raymond, . . 20.00 

C. Mills 20.00 

William Croswell 

Doane, Rector 
of St Peter's 

Parish, , 10.00 

J. L i,v i n g s t o n 
Reese, Rector of 

St Paul's, 10.00 

Edward Selkirk, 
Rector of Tri- 
nity Church, . . . 10.00 
E. B. Russel, Rec- 
tor of Grace Ch., 5.00 
William S. Board- 
man, Rector of 
Holy Innocents, 5.00 
J. A. Chapman,.. 10.00 
P.H.Wendell,... 10.00 

A. M. Ward 10.00 

John Douglas, . . . 10.00 

Charles McNeil,.. 10.00 

Cash(Carmichael), 10.00 

John Hastings,.. 10.00 

Miss Williams,.. 10.00 

M. H. Read, ... 10.00 

H. H. Bulkley,... 10.00 

Alex. Kennedy,. . 10.00 

Stanwix Hall 10.00 

T. Roessle, .. 10.00 

J. McClelland, . . . 10.00 

Geo. Fazackerly,. 10.00 

S. Maxwell 10.00 

J.H.Anderson,.. 10.00 

J. Bigsby 10.00 

C. H. Young,.... 10.00 

Ira Harris, 10.00 

J.Stewart,. .. 10.00 

G.M.Schuyler,.. 10.00 

John Phelan 10.00 

St. Michael's Ch,. 10.00 

N. Y., 10.00 



J. H. Hidley, $10.00 

Gen. Hillhouse,.. 10.00 

Wm. Urr, 10.00 

Thomas Easterly. 10.00 

P. Robinson,.. .. 10.00 

P. O'Brian, 10.00 

J. H. Rice 10.00 

Jno. McEvoy,. ... 10.00 

J.Simmons, 10.00 

J. W. Brasure,. . . 10.00 

James Martin, .. . 10.00 

J. Allen 10.00 

C. W. Weeks 10.00 

S. Jarvis, 10.00 

A.Robertson,.... 10.00 

C. P. Easton, 10.00 

A. C. Halsted, ... 10.00 

P. V. DeZee, 10.00 

T. R. Cutler, 10.00 

F. L.Yates, 10.00 

E. Savage 10.00 

Wm. N. Fassett,. 10.00 

Henry Smith,.... 10.00 

Cash (V. Buren),. 10.00 

Cash(Champlain), 10.00 

S. H. Hammond,. 10.00 

J. C. Sturtevant,. 10.00 

Cash (Wing),.... 10.00 

Dr. Teller 10.90 

Charles Hinckel,. 10.00 

M. L. Filkins, 10.00 

S. V. Frederick,. 10.00 

H. A. Nelson 10.00 

J, L. Harison, 10.00 

John Bnrk, 10.00 

Jno. Evers 10.00 

Rob. Higgins 10.00 

S. H. Sweet, 10.00 

J. McEwen, 10.00 

S. W. Smith, .... 10.00 

A. C. Judson, 10.00 

John Stewart 10.00 

Jno. Kirkpatrick, 10.00 

S.J. Roe 10.00 

Cash (Howell),.. 10.00 

Lucien Barnes, . . . 10.00 

R. S. Hen dee 10.00 

J. W. Husted,... 10.00 

W. W. Snow 10.00 

W. W. Moseley,. 10.00 

D. C. Littlejohn, . 10.00 
Wm. A. Fowler,. 10.00 

W. J. Cullen, 10.0(> 

John A. Flagg,.. 10.00 

James M. Nelson, 10.00 

Alex. Frear, 10.00 

Wm. Hinchman,. 10.00 

S. T. Maddox... . 10.00 

Thomas C. Fields, 10.00 

James Irving, .... 10.00 

R.Flanagan, 10.00 

John Tighe, 10.00 

C. W. Armstrong, 10.00 

John H. White,. . 10.00 

James Goodwin,. 10.00 

VisscherTenEyck, 10.00 



Joseph Kirk, $10.00 

W. W. Whitney,. 10.00 

Joel Read, 10.00 

Daniel Shaw 10.00 

Geo. Jackson,... 10.00 
Alanson Sumner, 10.00 
W. S. Church,... 10.00 
Jas.McNaughton, 10.00 
Thomas D. Cole- 
man 10.00 

Hamilton Harris, 10,00 

J. A. Patterson,.. 10.00 

S. J! Koe, 10.00 

Alex. Kennedy,.. 10.00 

Geo. Dexter, 10.00 

S. Groesbeeck,... 10.00 

T. Fondey 10.00 

Thomas McCarty, 10.00 

Harris Parr 10.00 

E. S. Meegan,.... 10.00 

M. Delahanty,.. . 10.00 

Simon Graef, 5.00 

Mrs. Spencer, 5.00 

Wm. Mason, 5.00 

Jno. Kieman, .... 5.00 

N. S. Benton 5.00 

Mrs. Merchant,.. 5.00 

Peter Winnie, 5.00 

Egbert Towner,.. 5.00 
Arch. Young,.... 5.00 
A. H. Taylor,.... 5.00 

Cash, 5.00 

J. S. Putnam, .... 5.00 
Lanagan & Bro- 
ther 5.00 

Cash (H)., 5.00 

D. G. Bradley,... 5.00 

E. McClaskie, .... 5.00 
Shields & Son,... 5.00 

D. Dunbar, 5.00 

A. McRoberts,.. • 5.00 
Francis Vail, . . 5.00 
Robert Scott,.... 5.00 
C. W. Bently,.... 5.00 

M. P. Cavert, 5.00 

A. Simpson, 5.00 

E. McManarry, ... 5.00 

T. Whalen 5.00 

Cash (Shep'd.),... 5.00 

Rd. Strain 5.00 

Jno. Sheridan, .. . 5.00 
J. B. Stonehouse, 5.00 

Cash (Sim) 5 00 

Cash (Coms'k.),.. 5.00 

Mrs. Keeler 5.00 

Geo. A. Birch,... 5.00 
J. Ludington, . . .. 5.00 
Wm. Bellows,.. .. 5.00 

E. Maidment 5.00 

M. Cassidy 5 00 

Henry Brock 5.00 

Geo. Connolly,.. . 7.00 

J. L. Snow 5.00 

C. P. Staat.s 5.00 

R. W. Wooster, . . 5.00 
Thomas Olcott, . . 5.00 



Trinity Church. 



53 



S. H. VanSickler, $5.00 

George Snyder, ... 5.00 

G. H. Dibble,.... 5.00 

J. S. Dickerman.. 5.00 

D. M. Woodhall,. 5.00 

Jno. Parr 5.00 

Hugh McCann, . . . 5.00 

Wm. F. Ramsey,. 5.00 

Wm.D.Woodhall, 5.00 

E. H. Talcott 5.00 

Cash (Mather),. . . 5.00 

Cash (Weaver),.. 5.00 

James Hall, 5.00 

JohnC. AustiD,.. 5.00 



G. B. Church, $5.00 

Thomas Dolan,... 5.00 

Wm. Barnes, 5.00 

Mary Ann Lang, . 5.00 

Dwight King 5.00 

Sidney S. Jones,. 5.00 

G. W. Plunkett, .. 5.00 

P. J. Flynn 5.00 

E. H. Apgar 5.00 

Cash (Rov) 5.00 

Jared Holt _ 5.00 

Jno. S. Robins,.. ' 5.00 

James Divine, . . . 5.00 

CharlesA.Temple, 5.00 



J. M. Kimball, . . . $5.00 

Cash (Morrow),.. 5.00 

M. Tebbutt, 5 00 

Cash (F.) 5.00 

William E. Fitch, 5.00 

John H. Sand,... 5.00 

D. T. Crane 5.00 

Jno. Kinsella,.... 5.00 

J. C. Potts 5.00 

Wm. N. Fassett, . 5.00 

Thomas Whalen, 5.00 

John Farrell,.... 5.00 



$8,044.00 



Thus makiug a cash subscription of $8,044.00, and the 
value of the land estimated at $2,000.00 and the material and 
labor as follows : $1,903.95, and we have the entire cost of the 
lot and rectory amounting to $11, 947. 95, which added to the 
value of the church edifice and lot, gives a grand total of 
property accumulated during the administration of the pre- 
sent rector of from fifty to sixty thousand dollars. 

When the above cash subscription, and the following sub- 
scription in material and labor, had, together with the land, 
amounted to the sum of eight thousand dollars, according to 
the terms of the subscription, Messrs. Nichols & Brown of 
this city were engaged as architects to prepare the plans and 
specifications for the proposed building, which was gene- 
rously done on their part, loithout charge. 

And in Oct , 1867, the contract for excavating for the 
building was given to Frank E. Cuyler, and the contract for 
the mason work to Messrs. Gillespie & Patterson ; and the 
putting on of the timber, and other carpenter work to Wm. 
Nichols; the making and setting of window frames to 
Francis Clark ; the stone cutting to Messrs. McMurry, 
Weidman & Co.; the iron lintels, etc., to Mr. J. Mc- 
Kinney ; and the joiner work to Messrs. Chartran & Olena, 
which was afterwards abandoned on the part of Mr. Char- 
tran, and completed by Olena. 

The roofing was done by Messrs. Osborn & Martin ; the 
plastering by Mr. A. Boyle ; the painting inside by Mr. 
John Cook; gas fitting by Messrs. Crawford & Tucker ; aud 
the plumbing by Ridgway & Co., and the papering, as will 
be seen by the subscription list, was donations from Messrs. 
Steel & King, and Mr. C. S. McEntie; and frescoing by 
Mr. Mickle &'Co. 



5-i Trinity Church. 

All of which work was done in the most permanent and 
workmanlike manner, reflecting great credit upon each and 
all of the workmen, as the building itself bears abundant 
evidence. 

In due time the building was completed, and was occupied 
by the rector in February, 1868 ; before which time he re- 
ceived from many of his friends very generous donations 
towards furnishing his own rooms ; for each and all of which 
he would here, record his grateful remembrance, and his 
unfeigned gratitude. 

The entire cost of the building, including the donations in 
labor and material, will not vary much from ten thousand 
dollars ($10,000.00). Hence, before the entire cost of the 
building could be met, it became necessary to raise much 
more means, than the terms of the first subscription called 
for. Hence, as the building progressed, the work of soliciting 
additional subscriptions had to be continued, until in June, 
1870, when it was found that one thousand dollars was still 
wanting to meet the entire cost. This being made known, 
to a few gentlemen; it was kindly proposed, to raise that 
amount, in subscriptions of twenty dollars each The plan 
was at once adopted, and with sincere gratitude to those who be- 
came subscribers in this emergency, as well as to all others, 
by which the work has been accomplished, as we trust, to 
the glory of Grod, and the welfare of our fellow-men, we are 
thankful to be able to put on record, that our united labor 
has not been in vain in the Lord. 

The following is the subscription of material and labor, 
alluded to in the foregoing pages, with the names of the 
individual subscribers, ond the estimated value of the 
material, &c. 



Wm. Nichols, in work for framing $50.00 

Wm. Manson, on account of parlor mantel, 23.00 

C. S. McEntee, papering 2d story, 40.00 

D. G. Littlefield, No. 22 brick furnace 175.00 

W. Murrey, Weidman & Co., cut stone 25.00 

Warren & Co., cement and draining tile 40 00 

Pierce & Co., kitchen sink 5.00 

Thomas McCarty, 10,000 brick, 70.00 

James C. Moore, 10,000 " 70.00 

D. E. Bassett, 10,000 " 70.00 

Edward Fisher, 10,000 " . . 70.00 



Trinity Church. 55 

R. Aspinwall, 5,000 brick, $35.00 

Wm. Hunter, 5,000 " 35.00 

Read & Wagoner, 5,000 " 35.00 

Thomas Lynch, 20 load sand, 25.00 

P. Connolly, 3 " " 3.75 

Mr. Furburg, 3 " " 3.75 

Steel & King, papering, 1st story, 50.00 

James Kidd (gas chandeliers) about 80.00 

T. R. Ferris (gilt moulding, 100 ft 7.00 

Albany Insurance Co., iron railing for balcony, 25.00 

Cunliff& Sloss, firing & putting up, " 20.00 

G. S. Weaver, 3,690 feet of pine timber 100.00 

W. A. Many & Co., 2.2G4 feet hemlock 50.00 

Clement Warren, 1,056 " " 25.00 

J. C. Ward & Son, 725 " " 15.00 

S. & G. Roark, 800 furring and 130 B. lath, 40.00 

Nelson Rodgers, 730 ft. chestnut 4x4, 20.00 

Rodnev Vose, 75 scantling 3x4 12.00 

Simonds & Griswold, 100 H. boards 16.00 

H. Q. Hawley & Co., dressing lumber, 25.00 

Corning & Co., 3 kegs nails, 15.00 

Van Rensselaer & Earle, lath, 15.00 

G. Tremper, 1 keg of nails 5.25 

G. W. Packard, Am stove, water back, 40.00 

Fuller, Warren & Co., Troy, 18 furnace bars, 25.00 

Walsh & Brother, 3 furnace registers, 10.00 

Alexander Dickey, 3 " " 10.00 

E. J. Kearney, plumbing ' 25.00 

P. H. Griffin, copper boiler 40.00 

John Downing, 1 water closet, 15.00 

Michael Delahanty, 1 bath tub, 20.00 

Wm. Clark & Son, butler's sink 5.00 

Branion Brothers, wash stand marble top, 15.00 

Allan Gilmour, water closet and trap, 15.00 

Ostrander & Ward, wash bowl, 3.00 

E. Mulcahy, 2 lengths and 2 bends cast iron pipes, 5.00 

Doyle & Dugan, water cocks 3.00 

M. Bender, 500 paving brick, 5.00 

Weaver& Co., lumber, 20 00 

C. B. Pinckney, 70 lbs. sheet lead 10.50 

T. Wareing, plumbing material, 8.50 

P. M. Mulcahy, 1 coil lead pipe, 12.00 

Fitzgerald & Guinaw, 40 lbs. solder, 20.00 

E. Hanlon, 1 marble mantel, 25.00 

H. Guire, 5 garret doors, 8.00 

Jones & Co., lumber 25.00 

G. T. Bratt, black walnut lumber 15.00 

Wm. DeErmand, glass, 25.00 

Miller & Coats (Mew York), vestibule tiles, 10,00 

C. W. Billings, on account of mantels, 10.00 



56 



Trinity Church. 



F. N. Sill, 1 ton coal, $8.00 

J. A. Willsie, \ ton coal, 4.00 

Ridgway & Co., on account of plumbing, 33.00 

Townsend & Jackson, bill, castings, 2.95 

G. & S. Robinson, 3 gas brackets, 3.00 

Geo. Connolly, stove pipe, &c 7.00 

R. J. Doolen, on account of graining, 25.00 

John Cook, " " " painting, 25.00 

Emanuel Mickel, frescoing hall, 25.00 

J. C. Ward & Son, lumber 6.25 

John Carrigan, paint, 5.00 

J. W. Osborn & Martin, slating, 25.00 

Haskell & Orchard, mantel brackets, 3.00 

$1,903.95 

Add the lot and cash subscription, 10,044.00 

Total, $11,947.95 



From the time of commencing the work of building the 
rectory, in June, 1867, to its completion and occupancy in 
February, 1869, being two years and eight months, and 
even up to the time of liquidating all the expenses thereby 
incurred, which was not done until the fall of 1870, there 
was little else done, beyond the ordinary routine of parish 
work, that demands special record, as a part of the history 
of the corporation ; still, it is worthy of note that whilst one 
and another who were members of the parish were passing 
away from time to time, it was seldom that any one offici- 
ally connected with the parish was taken from our midst. 
Hence, such events became a part of our history, being suit- 
ably recorded in our minutes, as will be seen by the follow- 
ing preamble and resolutions, passed at a meeting of the 
board convened Oct. 6th, 1868 : 

" Whereas, It hath pleased Almighty God in his wise 
providence, to remove by death, our friend and brother, Mr. 
Evan James, a member of this board of vestry, respected 
and esteemed by all ; therefore, 

" Resolved, That by his death, the parish is called to mourn 
the loss of a worthy member, the vestry an active and 
valued associate, and the community a highly esteemed 
citizen. 

" Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with the widow 
and family of the deceased, on account of their irreparable 



Trinity Church. 



57 



bereavement, of so kind a husband and parent, and whilst 
we mourn the loss of our colleague in office, we humbly 
trust that our loss is his eternal gain, and in humble sub- 
mission to the dealings of providence, desire to place on 
record our unqualified respect for the memory of our de- 
parted brother." 

In the fall of 1868, the church and finance committee in- 
formed the vestry that the'furnace in the church had become 
so eaten out by rust, as to be beyond repair, and that it was 
necessary that a new one should be procured. Whei-eupon 
a committee was ordered to examine the various furnaces 
in market, and report. In accordance with this instruction 
the finance committee at a meeting held November 24th, 
reported, " the acceptance of Messrs. Perry & Co.'s furnace, 
which had been placed in the church, and appeared to prove 
satisfactory," etc., and after two winters' trial it has far sur- 
passed in capacity, any other furnace ever used in the 
church, both in respect to economy and efficiency in heating 
the building. This involved another outlay of some two 
hundred dollars ($200), which had to be met as heretofore 
by subscription, for which purpose the following named sums 
were subscribed. 



Richard J. Story,. $25. 00 

James Bell 10.00 

John Pritchard, . . 10.00 
Geo. Cummings, . . 10.00 

Mrs. Brown, 10.00 

Wm. Granger 5.00 



Wm. Little, $5.00 

Wm. Jardien, 2.00 

Mrs. Turner, 5.00 

T. E. Norman,.... 2.50 

Miss Ball 1.00 

Mrs. Connolly, 50 



On the plate $7.09 

Cash by Wm. Gran- 
ger, 10.00 

Miss Tweddle, . . . . 1.00 
D. Dunbar, 1.00 

$105.09 



Durihg the remainder of the ecclesiastical year, every 
thing went on as usual in the working of the parish ; as 
also during the year 1869. But after the Easter election in 
the spring of the present year 1870, at a meeting of the 
vestry, May the 9th, the following is the record of a portion of 
the proceedings : 

"The rector made a report of the progress of the work 
relative to the rectory, and presented the corporate deeds 
of the parish property, which were examined, and found 
satisfactory. And also stated, that there had been received 
and expended for the rectory the sum of six thousand six 
hundred and thirteen dollars ($6,613) in cash, as also ma- 
terial and labor subscriptions about two thousand dollars 



1 



58 Trinity Church. 

($2,000); that there had been paid in all, seven thousand 
five hundred and sixty-six dollars ($7,566 -j^nr) that a 
balance was left unpaid of about three hundred and fifty 
dollars (350 y^nr) in addition to nine hundred and fifty-three 
-j- 6 ^ dollars advanced by the rector. And of the original 
subscription there remained uncollected about five hundred 
dollars ($500), when on motion of Mr. John A. Howe, 
it was, 

" Resolved, That the thanks of the wardens and vestry- 
men be accorded to the Rev. Mr. Selkirk for his energy 
and faithfulness in carrying out the above work. 

" Carried unanimously." 

On motion of Mr. Geo. Cummings, the finance committee 
was requested to prepare a statement in accordance with the 
facts laid before them by the rector, and report to the board 
at the next meeting. At a meeting of the board held May 
16th, 1870, the finance committee reported as follows, which 
report was received, and by a unanimous vote ordered to 
be inserted in the minutes, and published in the city pa- 
pers over the signatures of the wardens and vestrymen. 

The report. — " Whereas at a meeting of the wardens and 
vestrymen held in the church, May 9th, 1870, the rector, 
the Rev. Edward Selkirk, reported the completion of the 
rectory, and also laid before us the title deeds of the same ; 

"Therefore, we the church wardens and vestrymen desire 
to certify the following facts, to the friends of the church, 
and to all whom it may concern : The property of the 
corporation consists of the church, the rectory,, and the 
lots adjacent, is held by the rector, church wardens and 
vestrymen of Trinity Church, in the city of Albany, the first 
deed being executed by Archibald Mclntyre and wife dated 
Oct. 28th, 1847, and recorded Nov. 4, 1847, in book No. 96, 
page 329, the second deed by Henry Yates, dated Oct. 28, 
1847, recorded Nov. 4th, 1847, in book No. 96, page 350 ; the 
third deed by Lyman Tremain, referee, dated June 3d, 18f,6, 
recorded Oct. 8" 1856, in book No. 141, page 496. The cost of 
the rectory, as nearly as can be determined, has been nine 
thousand four hundred dollars ($9,400 j ^) towards the 
payment of which there has been raised contributions in 
cash amounting to six thousand six hundred and thirteen 
•j^j- dollars ($6,613 x Vxr) > in material, say about fifteen 



Trinity Church. 



59 



hundred dollars ($1,500-!^-), and in available sub- 
scriptions still due three hundred and twenty-five 
($325 -n/xr) which leaves a balance to be raised at nine 
hundred and sixty-two dollars ($962 -^y) and to all 
who have cooperated with us in this work, we tender our 
grateful thanks. 

Signed 

A. S. Beers, James Bell, 

Wardens. 

George Cummings, Wm. Granger, 
John Pritchard, William Little, 

li J. Story, Wm. Grey, 

John A. Howe, "ft. W. C. Mitchel, 

Vestrymen." 

After the above proceedings were published in the papers 
of the city, a uew subscription was started to raise the last 
thousand dollars, required to meet the entire cost of building 
the rectory, which was accomplished during the summer and 
fall of 1870, and is included in the list of subscribers as 
herein published ; and the result of all the required labor, 
and the offerings of individuals received as above, has given 
to the parish of Trinity Church, for all time to come, a church 
edifice, of the capacity of about five hundred sittings 
(500) well located, and as thoroughly constructed as ordinary 
buildings of brick or stone; a rectory of sufficient capacity 
for an ordinary sized family, thoroughly constructed of 
brick, stone, and iron ; and both church and rectory, of 
Gothic architecture, in keeping each with the other, and 
valued at this time at not less than fifty to sixty thousand 
dollars, and without incumbrance. 

The time which the present rector has been connected 
with this parish is now nearly twenty-seven years, having 
entered upon the work January 1st, 1844, during which time, 
besides soliciting and collecting the principal part of themeans 
which have been required to carry forward to completion the 
work of building the church and rectory, and superintending 
almost entirely the construction, up to Jan., 1870, he had per- 
formed the following official services, as set forth in a sermon 
delivered January 2, being the twenty-sixth anniversary of 
his rectorship. 



60 



Trinity Church. 



The regular Sunday services alone amounted to some 
2,700, and services in Sunday school, about 1,350 ; and add 
to these all other public services, and they amount to not 
less than 8,500. The number of children and adults 
baptized is 1,017. The number of persons instructed and 
presented for the ordinance of confirmation 276; there has 
been received as communicants in all 450 ; and 190 of the 
number were received to their first communion. The number 
of persons married is 554. The number of persons buried 
is 607 — a number equal to more than twenty times the 
number of souls belonging to the parish in 1844, for as 
will be seen, at the commencement of this narrative, the 
entire congregation, in 1844, when the present rector came to 
the parish, including those of all ages able to attend service, 
was less than fifty souls, and none of them accounted 
wealthy. Therefore it will be remembered, that the means 
contributed for the building of both the church and the 
Rectory has mainly been gathered by the contributions of 
citizens, not parishioners. Thus showing, what can be 
accomplished, in a few brief years, for planting the church 
by constant, and unremitting effort. 



